Raptors forward Pascal Siakam continues to draw trade interest around the NBA, multiple sources tell Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link). Grange specifically mentions the Hawks as a team that remains in pursuit of the 29-year-old.
A couple days before free agency opened, Grange also identified the Hornets, Mavericks, Rockets, Pelicans and Kings as teams that had inquired on Siakam, though he cautioned that while Toronto was open to listening to offers, conversations hadn’t gotten very far.
An All-Star for the second time in 2022/23, Siakam averaged career highs in points (24.2) and assists (5.8) while chipping in 7.8 rebounds in 71 games last season. His 37.4 minutes per game led the league for the second straight season.
A two-time All-NBA member, Siakam is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $37.9MM in ’23/24. He’s eligible to sign a four-year, $192MM extension, though he’d also be eligible for a super-max extension if he isn’t traded and makes another All-NBA team next season.
Siakam previously put word out that he preferred to remain with the Raptors and likely wouldn’t re-sign with another team. A follow-up report stated that he hoped to spend his entire career with Toronto, the only NBA club he’s ever known after being selected 27th overall in the 2016 draft.
The loss of Fred VanVleet in free agency makes the Raptors less formidable, according to Eric Koreen of The Athletic, who believes they should seriously consider dealing Siakam in order to re-balance the roster around Scottie Barnes, the ’21/22 Rookie of the Year.
Koreen would be less inclined to move OG Anunoby, but he points out that his deal is also expiring and the five-year, $160MM contract Jerami Grant is signing with Portland will likely be Anunoby’s floor next year in free agency, and it’s possible he might get a maximum-salary offer like VanVleet unexpectedly did from Houston. If the Raptors aren’t willing to pay Anunoby that much, they should consider dealing him as well, Koreen opines.
Is there anything the Sixers can do to get Siakam?
Unless, something has changed, he is terrific
No, there is nothing they can do to get Siakam.
Maxey
Maxey and Tobias, which is a step backwards overall and he’s a FA next year.
A 3 or 4 team deal involving Harden, and picks sources from other teams would be the only way without trading Maxey. You’d have to get creative.
Raptors and 76ers get worse
But Raptors need to pick a direction that’s not a middling team, either get way better or trade off guys like Siakam
So tired of these raptors rumors. They should’ve traded these guys last year or even earlier.
Just like Chicago, they both seem to love being a 500 team and don’t want to go either way up or down. Suck it up and rebuild for a few years because both of those teams are stuck in the middle and will be as long as they keep these guys like Siakam, LaVine, Vucevic, DeRozan etc (who aren’t even that good)
Change the record bruv
Totally agree, you’re a middling team now and by staying there you’ll be a middling team when Barnes hits his prime.
I’ll feel better when the Lilard trade is complete. Hopefully, the Raptors aren’t a part of that, but I can see Lowry coming back to Toronto.
The best play for Siakam is to stay and get a 5 yr deal. Same with OG.
Best move for the Raptors would be to get as many picks or young pieces as they can, if they have no intention of maxing those 2 out.
I think they will be better now with a true center and a PG who cares about winning and not his next contract.
Unless they get a major haul, trading Siakim would be a mistake
Be a middling team would be a mistake, you need to pick a direction when your biggest trade assets are entering a walk year
So how good IS the GM doing in Toronto now?
Bingo. We all know the Great Masai can never make mistakes…. so help us god.