3 Raptors predictions that would surprise NBA casuals next season

1. Pascal Siakam makes All-NBA again

The Raptors have one of the best talents in the NBA on their hands, as Siakam has made the All-Star Game and All-NBA team twice in the past four seasons. Last season was the best individual basketball the Cameroonian star has played in what is already an illustrious career.

Siakam is fresh off averaging 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game despite the constraints of Nurse’s sluggish, vanilla offense and physical wear and tear near the end of the season getting to him. Things could be much different under the Rajakovic regime.

Pascal Siakam will carry the Toronto Raptors.

While he likely won’t play as many minutes with Rajakovic as he did under Nurse, Siakam will be playing for a coach that runs his offense at a faster pace. If Barnes takes his aforementioned step up on the offensive end, Siakam will have less defensive pressure coming his way.

The Raptors have found it very difficult to trade Siakam, who has one year left on his contract and is unwilling to sign an extension outside of Toronto. When you’re trading an All-NBA player at the peak of his powers and multiple factors working in his favor to signal an even bigger breakout, it’s hard to get value for him.