NBA Rumors: Nets Eyed Raptors' Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby After Kyrie Irving Trade

The Brooklyn Nets have been aiming high as they look to make another big move before Thursday's trade deadline after dealing Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

On The Hoop Collective Podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the Nets "absolutely" had interest in acquiring Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors after completing the Irving trade.

The potential problem for Brooklyn, according to Windhorst, is the Raptors could be keeping an eye on what Durant wants to do after this season before deciding if they want to start dealing key players from their roster who might be attractive to the Nets this summer if Durant were to request a trade again.

In the immediate aftermath of the Irving trade, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets planned to offer the draft picks they acquired from the Mavericks and the 2027 first-round pick they are owed from the Philadelphia 76ers to potentially make another move before Thursday.

That sounds like a smart plan on its surface, but Wojnarowski reported on Tuesday that Durant has "been engaged in conversations" with Nets governor Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks about the direction of the franchise.

"So far, the Nets have insisted to Durant and inquiring teams that the organization has no intention of moving him prior to Thursday afternoon's trade deadline, sources said," Wojnarowski wrote.

Durant requested a trade last offseason before backing off his stance in August following a meeting with Tsai, Marks and then-head coach Steve Nash.

If opposing teams operate at this trade deadline under the assumption that Durant could make another trade request after the season, making a deal with the Nets now that would help improve their roster would make no sense.

The Raptors have been arguably the most-talked-about team ahead of the deadline because players like Siakam, Anunoby and Fred VanVleet would bring back significant returns.

There has been no indication thus far that Raptors president Masai Ujiri is looking to sell, but their 25-30 record at this point doesn't inspire confidence that a turnaround is coming this season.

B/R's Chris Haynes reported Durant is expected to be out through the All-Star break with a sprained MCL.

The Nets are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-22 record with Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie set to make their team debuts against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.