Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 16
Next
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 02: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

New Mexico State University. Pascal Siakam. 10. player. 81. . Power Forward

Picked in the late first round out of New Mexico State, in his first season with the Raptors, Pascal Siakam appeared to be a bouncy, high-energy forward with little else to offer.

During his rookie season, Siakam bounced between the NBA and the then G-League, averaging just four points per game in his time with the big-leagues. (He did start 38 games prior to Ibaka’s arrival, but that was a result of a lack of competition more than anything else.)

Between his first and second season in the NBA, Siakam made a huge leap in development. He came back his second season with a completely new skill-set, at times directing the offense as a point forward.

In his second season, Siakam’s game resembled a poor man’s Draymond Green or Al Horford. He displayed an ability to switch on to small defenders defensively, while working as a secondary playmaker on the offensive end, at times initiating the offense.

Just a 22 percent shooter from three last season (although improved from 14 percent the year before), Siakam’s ceiling may ultimately rely on his ability to develop a 3-point shot. Although if his shooting improves anything like the rest of his game, he’ll end up just fine.