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5 huge trades for Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam amid rumors

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors appear to be as close to fully dipping into rebuild mode and trading away Pascal Siakam as they have been in years. The trade rumors just won’t subside, and his name has been dominating the NBA airwaves in the last few days due to the uncertainty surrounding the Raptors.

With Siakam a free agent after this season and many key contributors on the Raptors in need of contract extensions, Masai Ujiri could look to get something for one of the greatest players in franchise history rather than go through a Fred VanVleet-esque tug-of-war in free agency.

Because Siakam has hinted that he wants to stay in Toronto and is not too keen on signing an extension with any other team that potentially signs him, the packages that Toronto might get in Siakam talks won’t be too rich.

Suppose the Raptors are fully committed to tossing Siakam away in favor of a haul of picks and players that better set the team up for contention in 2024 and beyond. In that case, the team may need to consider one of these five trades that might seem reasonably equitable for an impending free agent.

5 trades for Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam

Trade No. 1: Pascal Siakam goes to Atlanta

Let’s get the most obvious trade partner out of the way first. Atlanta has been connected to Siakam for a very long time, but they lost the ability to insert Dejounte Murray into these trade talks due to his recent extension. Even Kobe Bufkin can’t be traded for another month.

If neither of them could be included in a deal, the Raptors may choose to prioritize a center with starter potential in Okongwu and a lottery talent with a very impressive 3-point shot in Griffin. Getting one of Atlanta’s few unprotected picks would make for an excellent deal.

The Hawks could give the Toronto Raptors a ton for Pascal Siakam.

The Raptors will likely be offered one of either Hunter or Bogdan Bogdanovic to make the money match up. Bogdanovic is a better scorer, but Hunter is both the younger player and the type of player that Ujiri and the Raptors have typically held in very high regard.

The Hawks might have some serious ball-sharing problems on their hands, as Young, Murray, and Siakam all need the ball in their hands all the time. If they can somehow figure that out, they could break into the upper tier of Eastern Conference contenders for (at least) 2023-24.