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.
Trade No. 2: The Pacers make a move for Pascal Siakam
The Pacers are eyeing a quick turnaround, as both Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton were recently extended, and Jarace Walker figures to play a big part in their rotation. Siakam would be a legitimate X-factor that can help take some of the offensive pressure off Haliburton.
Hield is another impending free agent who is a horrible defender, but he’s been one of the best shooters and scorers in the league for the last few seasons. He will be a very welcome addition, especially if Gradey Dick needs a bit more time to become a quality rotation player.
The Pacers and Toronto Raptors could discuss Pascal Siakam.
Theis is an entirely average center, but he can either be flipped for minimal draft compensation elsewhere. Nembhard looked like the best second-round pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, and continuing his career in Toronto might help solve the team’s backup point guard dilemma.
The Pacers would have a terrific frontcourt of Turner and Siakam while Haliburton comes into his own as a scorer. While this won’t make them a contender, the Pacers would instantly become a playoff team with the ingredients for a Heat-like run if they get hot.
Trade No. 3: The Kings trade veterans for Pascal Siakam
The Kings already have two of their cornerstones in Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, but it is fair to question how far a team with those two at the tip of the spear can go. With plenty of first-round picks at their disposal, Sacramento is in a position to make a win-now trade.
Barnes being traded opens up a spot for Siakam in the Kings’ lineup while giving Toronto a quality veteran starter who could help mitigate his loss on offense. Huerter would be a terrific Sixth Man, as his shooting and proven clutch scoring are two traits this roster sorely needs.
The Kings need Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam.
The Raptors may not have a pick in 2024 due to their various trades, but any deal in which multiple firsts could be recouped would be a win. The Kings have been making some aggressive moves lately, and dealing picks for Siakam would keep in line with that philosophy.
While Sacramento could be a substandard defensive team yet again due to the Sabonis-Siakam rim protection tandem, they have all the ingredients needed to overwhelm Western Conference contenders with a deluge of proficient and efficient scorers if this goes down.
Trade No. 4: The Grizzlies trade their bench for Pascal Siakam
This would be an expensive undertaking for Memphis, as Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are all making big money. However, in a wide-open west, a smaller-market team like Memphis might need to strike if they want to acquire a difference-maker.
Why not help Darko Rajakovic install his system by bringing in a bunch of players he has experience with? Kennard put up such insane 3-point shooting numbers that they look like something out of a video game, and native Canadian Clarke could be an ideal rehabilitation project.
Can the Grizzlies get Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors?
The Grizzlies have more picks than most due to various trades, and this front office may feel a bit more willing to flip two of them to acquire a player of Siakam’s caliber. With Kennard being the best player in the return, Masai Ujiri will likely insist on multiple picks.
If Steven Adams returns to full health, Memphis can roll with a gigantic lineup that features Siakam as an oversized small forward alongside Adams and Jackson. Moving Adams to the bench could also be an option if the Morant/Bane backcourt is to shine.
Trade No. 5: The Pelicans trade a star for Pascal Siakam
If the Raptors want to trade Siakam and still maintain their stated directive to win now, acquiring draft compensation as well as a player might do the trick. McCollum is signed for the next three seasons, yet his deal is much cheaper than what Siakam projects to earn in his next mega-deal.
McCollum has averaged over 20 points per game in eight consecutive seasons, all while making just under 40% of his 3-pointers. With a boatload of picks at their disposal, the Pelicans could give Siakam a chance to compete in the West while the Raptors remain a deadly lineup.
The Pelicans could make a trade for Pascal Siakam.
The Raptors would be able to let McCollum bring the ball up as the de facto point guard alongside Gary Trent Jr. with OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes in the frontcourt alongside Jakob Poeltl. That’s a group that can’t be ruled out of the postseason due to McCollum’s consistency.
As for New Orleans, they could create an ultimate positionless lineup that features Siakam and Zion Williamson in the frontcourt, Brandon Ingram and Trey Murphy on the wings, and Top 10 pick Dyson Daniels moving into the starting lineup. That’s unique enough to make them a force in the West.
Improbable? Sure. Impossible? Don’t rule it out just yet.