The Raptors have traded O.G. Anunoby. Is Pascal Siakam subsequent?
Siakam has been concerned in commerce rumors for some time now, however the stress is beginning to mount for Toronto. Now that the calendar has flipped to 2024, groups are a month and a few change away from this season’s commerce deadline.
That does not imply the Raptors have to commerce Siakam, after all, however he’s within the ultimate yr of his contract. If they do not transfer him earlier than the deadline, they will enter one other offseason going through the opportunity of one in all their greatest gamers strolling in free company.
We have checked out some Siakam commerce locations up to now. Whereas a number of the similar groups are anticipated to pursue the two-time All-Star ought to he develop into accessible, there are a pair extra that make sense for him.
MORE: O.G. Anunoby commerce grades: Raptors get depth; Knicks get large expertise improve
Pascal Siakam commerce locations
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been one of many greatest surprises thus far this season. They’ve come all the way down to earth a bit since making it to the ultimate of the In-Season Match, however they continue to be within the Jap Convention playoff race with one of the best offense within the league.
It won’t sound like Indiana wants assist offensively, however Siakam would take some stress off of Tyrese Haliburton to create every thing. The 2 would complement one another properly in transition and as pick-and-roll companions, and the Pacers have the capturing to open up the court docket for Siakam in methods the Raptors cannot.
MORE: The shot that has Tyrese Haliburton wanting like a famous person
Siakam would not flip the Pacers into an elite protection all by himself, however he would add to their measurement and flexibility on that finish of the court docket. Extra selection on offense and competent protection might be what the Pacers have to compete.
Myles Turner has been linked to the Raptors up to now, however the Pacers want the capturing and rim safety he supplies at heart. Indiana’s greatest provide would doubtless focus on Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker and Andrew Nembhard, promising younger prospects who match the timeline of Scottie Barnes.
Atlanta Hawks
I wrote about why the Hawks proceed to be related to Siakam right here. The quick model: Atlanta made a win-now transfer when it acquired Dejounte Murray and but continues to be a sub-.500 crew. Siakam would add one other dimension on offense and provides the Hawks a much-needed jolt defensively.
Murray would not make as a lot sense for the Raptors now that they’ve Immanuel Quickley, and Jalen Johnson may now be too worthwhile for the Hawks to commerce. Toronto would most likely be taking a look at a deal round Bogdan Bogdanovic and/or De’Andre Hunter to match wage, then some mixture of Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, Kobe Bufkin and AJ Griffin.
Sacramento Kings
This is not the primary time the Kings have been talked about as a possible suitor for Siakam.
Sacramento is already residence to 2 All-Stars in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Siakam would give the Kings much more of a punch as they appear to construct on final season’s first-round loss to the Warriors. Fox and Siakam can be dynamite in transition, and whereas Sabonis would profit from enjoying subsequent to a extra dependable 3-point shooter within the frontcourt, Siakam would play properly off of him as a cutter.
The Kings are one other crew within the backside half of the league in defensive effectivity. As soon as once more, Siakam’s versatility would assist.
Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter would get the Kings near matching Siakam’s wage. The large query is whether or not or not the Kings can be prepared to surrender Keegan Murray. If not, this could most likely must be a pick-heavy deal to realize any form of curiosity from the Raptors.
Dallas Mavericks
In accordance with NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks have “registered some exploratory commerce curiosity” in Siakam. Stein added that the curiosity has been “overstated,” however Dallas is claimed to be in search of an improve at energy ahead. Whereas Siakam might not be on the high of the crew’s listing, he is top-of-the-line fours within the NBA.
Siakam, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving would have lots to determine, however they’d kind a dynamic trio. Doncic is a top-five participant, Irving is a star with loads of expertise enjoying with different stars and Siakam can be one heck of a security valve for each of them.
Dereck Vigorous II is one of the best younger prospect on the Mavericks, however he is slot in completely subsequent to Doncic and Irving at a place of want. It is exhausting to think about the entrance workplace giving him up for somebody who might be a five-month rental. Their greatest shot at buying Siakam would doubtless be a framework of Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes and Josh Inexperienced.
Golden State Warriors
Our Steph Noh pitched a Siakam-to-Warriors commerce right here. I turned it down, nevertheless it wasn’t a tough no. The package deal he supplied — Siakam, Thaddeus Younger and Otto Porter Jr. for Klay Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and two future second-round picks — does test some necessary containers for the Raptors.
Even in a down yr, Thompson remains to be a knockdown 3-point shooter and he’d be a perfect mentor to Gradey Dick. Moody supplies much more capturing and Kuminga is without doubt one of the extra attention-grabbing prospects within the league.
Like our Gil McGregor mentioned, the Raptors most likely aren’t going to get a significantly better provide for Siakam at this level.
Philadelphia 76ers
As Noh wrote in his commerce grades, the return the 76ers bought for Harden units them as much as make one other transfer down the street.
The 76ers have discovered a method that works for them. What they want to determine is that if they’re higher off surrounding Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid with function gamers or turning a few of that depth into a 3rd star.
Siakam can be an attention-grabbing addition. His decline as a 3-point shooter can be a priority subsequent to Embiid, who is without doubt one of the most dominant paint scorers within the NBA, however the 76ers can be even higher within the open court docket and Siakam’s playmaking would give them an alternative choice within the halfcourt.
Tobias Harris would virtually definitely be concerned within the deal to match wage. Philadelphia’s veterans most likely would not curiosity a rebuilding Toronto crew, so this could most likely must be one other pick-centered deal.
