Raptors: Trading Pascal Siakam to the Kings makes little sense

The Toronto Raptors are plodding through what has been a very uncertain offseason full of twists and turns, but one of the few things that fans can take solace in following the departure of Kyle Lowry is that star power forward Pascal Siakam is still in the mix and a part of the long-term core.

At least, he is a part of the long-term core for the time being, as his name has surfaced in trade rumors this offseason. While some Raptors fans can see the appeal in including him in a trade package for a superstar like Damian Lillard, the latest batch of rumors surrounding Siakam have come way out of left field.

The Sacramento Kings are looking to make some huge moves this offseason to get back to the postseason, and a frontcourt shakeup could be in the mix after they drafted Davion Mitchell No. 9 overall. Are they eyeing a Siakam deal?

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Kings “definitely have interest” in making a move for Siakam to complete their young core. Considering the financial implications and what the Kings could offer in return, Toronto shouldn’t engage with Monte McNair on any Siakam talks.

The Toronto Raptors shouldn’t trade Pascal Siakam to the Kings.

Amick mentions the two players that could come back in a hypothetical deal are shooting guard Buddy Hield and power forward Marvin Bagley III. Hield, who was linked to a swap that would’ve sent him to the Lakers, would be the best perimeter scorer on the team right now, but is he really necessary?

The Raptors were able to retain Gary Trent Jr. on a three-year contract, and adding Hield, in the middle of a four-year, $94 million contract, on top of that would be redundant. The Lakers rumors and Mitchell selection show Sacramento is desperate to offload Hield, so why trade Siakam for a player that is depreciating in value?

Bagley, who hasn’t lived up to the hype after getting picked No. 2 overall, would be a very intriguing player that could end up becoming a star with Toronto, but not at the cost of Siakam.

Hield and Bagley together could be very intriguing for the Raptors, but unless Toronto is willing to commit to a rebuild and Sacramento is willing to part with tons of draft capital, this trade may not come to fruition.

With Toronto showing no indication that they want to dip fully into rebuild mode, Siakam should only be moved if they want to add a superstar or if they get an offer so comically unbalanced in their favor they can’t refuse it.

The Raptors don’t have to trade Siakam, as a core of him, Scottie Barnes, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby could do some real damage in the East. However, if they want to move him, the only acceptable return would involve a superstar, not a player that the Kings are looking to offload themselves.