The definitive starting lineup of the decade for the Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam

It feels a little early to put Pascal Siakam here, and maybe if Chris Bosh stuck around it would have been different. But, even in his fourth year as a pro, Pascal Siakam definitely deserves to be in this starting lineup.

Siakam was the – at the time – much-maligned 27th overall pick for the Toronto Raptors in the 2016 NBA Draft, and has since turned into one of the best players in the draft. In fact, there’s a case to be made that Siakam may actually be the best player in the class right now. A class that features the likes of Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray.

His ascension has been swift, unprecedented, and frankly, just the wildest thing. Siakam was a solid bench player not three seasons ago, averaging 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 50-percent shooting from the field and 22-percent from three on just 1.6 attempts per game.

Fast forward to the 2019-20 NBA season and Siakam is coming off of winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and, incredibly, is in the conversation to win it once more. Something that has never been done before.

Something that, realistically, shouldn’t be possible. But Siakam’s rise is so incredible, and now he’s averaging 25.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game, adding a steal and a block for good measure. His offensive game has improved too, no more is he just a fast break threat. Now, Siakam is knocking down above the break threes, taking on defenders in isolation and still devastating teams in transition.

At 25 years old, Siakam looks like he will only continue to get better. He’s currently the face of the franchise and, while the MVP chatter has died down a little, Siakam is proving to be one of the best 15 players in the league. That’s not something many Raptors’ players have had the privilege of saying.