Raptors news: Pascal Siakam passes Bargnani, trade target emerges

The Toronto Raptors finally got out of their mini funk over the last few games, dominating the Orlando Magic thanks to OG Anunoby putting up 32 points. The effort of Pascal Siakam should not be overlooked, however. He made Raptors history, and he did it in style.

Siakam finished with 26 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists in a game that never felt particularly close. As Siakam and Fred VanVleet continue to climb higher up the team’s all-time scoring list, the always impressive Pascal made history by passing one of the most polarizing players ever to put on a Raptors uniform.

Siakam passed former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani for fifth all-time on the franchise scoring list. Siakam beat the Italian’s mark in slightly fewer games (413 for Siakam vs. 433 for Bargnani) and did so while outpacing him in rebounds, assists, and points per game.

This comes as a surprise to even his head coach, as Nick Nurse said he likely would not have envisioned a former No. 27 overall pick out of New Mexico State reaching such lofty heights. Nurse credits the work that Siakam put in as the main reason Pascal’s name is in such a lofty place in franchise history.

More Raptors news

• Nurse mentioned that “some guys” on the Raptors got together to get things off their chest and iron out solutions for their issues with slow starts, saying that the players were “not happy.” Whatever was said in that meeting seems to have worked like a charm after Toronto dismantled Orlando.
• Justin Champagnie got to share a very cool moment on the court with his twin brother, Philadelphia 76ers two-way player Julian Champagnie. While Justin put up 22 points and 10 rebounds, he had to watch his brother tally 27 points as the Delaware Blue Coats took down Raptors 905 on Thursday.

NBA news

• The Chicago Bulls have reportedly discussed trades that involve sending Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan to the Los Angeles Lakers. If Chicago is thinking about blowing things up in this fashion, Alex Caruso could become available. A top-shelf defender who can shoot, he would fit in well with Toronto.
• Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather said that he wants to spend around $2 billion to buy a current NBA franchise or be a part of the ownership group if the league expands to a city like Las Vegas or Seattle. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment isn’t selling anytime soon, so the Mayweather-Drake promos fans may have envisioned are dead on arrival.