Raptors: Is Pascal Siakam’s big contract a hinderance?

The Toronto Raptors have been trying to reshape this roster as they prepare for a potential future without Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell, but one of their best players, standout forward Pascal Siakam, might have unfortunately made it difficult for them to potentially acquire another star alongside him.

The New Mexico State product signed a four-year, $136 million contract that pays him just over $30 million this year and will help him earn $37 million in 2023-24, the last year of the deal. This year, Siakam is averaging 20.1 points per game while setting new career-bests in rebounds (7.5 per game) and assists (4.8 per game). 

While those increased playmaking numbers are impressive, his downturn on offense and average post defense should set off alarm bells around Toronto considering how he is tied to the Raptors financially for the next few seasons.

Siakam’s contract has made it difficult for the Raptors to improve at the 2020-21 trade deadline. Making the money equal out in a trade is difficult when most of the roster is on very cheap contracts to account for the small fortune that Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster have entrusted with Siakam.

The Raptors are saddled with a big contract thanks to Pascal Siakam

Siakam is having a solid season, but his scoring and efficiency have taken nosedives when compared to his 2019-20 season. Unless the Raptors decide to trade him away, a move that would be shortsighted and also difficult to pull of, Toronto is stuck in financial limbo.

Even with Lowry potentially coming off of the books next season, the Raptors have over $50 million tied up in Siakam and Fred VanVleet. Those contracts have forced Toronto to cut costs elsewhere, as the only player making over $7 million besides their big three is Norman Powell, who could also be out in Toronto due to a player option.

Siakam is playing like a star, but he is getting paid like a superstar, and he was given this contract on the expectation that he would improve and carry the substandard roster round him. With his scoring now declining, Siakam’s contract might move into albatross territory if he doesn’t get things turned around.

If Siakam rediscovers his 3-point shot and he shatters his points per game average from last year, he could reverse his fortunes. Unfortunately, he’s playing like an above-average power forward on elite salary, which could make it tough for Toronto to either get pieces around him or