The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors continue to be at the center of plenty of trade rumors leading up to Thursday's deadline, and the latest includes Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton as potential targets.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported the Nets are interested in Pascal Siakam, while Toronto "covets" Claxton. In fact, the Raptors offered a first-round pick for Claxton last season.

What's more, Scotto noted the two teams have discussed potential trades that would send Simmons to Toronto.

This is far from the first time the Nets and Raptors have been linked.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Brooklyn reached out about Fred VanVleet and was interested in Siakam. Ian Begley of SNY reported the Nets "touched base with Toronto about a subsequent deal" as it was finalizing a trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.

Toronto may be the most interesting team in the league leading up to the deadline, as any contender would surely want some combination of VanVleet, Siakam or O.G. Anunoby if they were truly available.

The Raptors could look to shift into sell mode with a 25-30 record that isn't even good enough for the play-in tournament in the current standings, especially if the front office doesn't see a quick turnaround in the immediate future, even with a talented core.

Landing a number of draft picks or young players in return for some of their veterans could help the Raptors revamp their roster around Scottie Barnes and build a potential team that could contend in future years and avoid the type of inconsistency that has plagued this season's group.

Claxton would fit the bill as a 23-year-old double-double threat who can protect the rim on the defensive side and finish lobs on the offensive end.

As for the Nets, all is not lost even after the Irving deal.

They still have a solid group of supporting cast players, and Kevin Durant remains one of the best in the league. Should they land another impact player or two by the deadline, they could make a postseason push without the eight-time All-Star at point guard.

Perhaps that key addition will come from their discussions with Toronto.