NBA rumors: Hawks trade package for Pascal Siakam revealed

The Toronto Raptors have once again found themselves at the epicenter of an ongoing trade saga. All-NBA power forward Pascal Siakam has been one of the most discussed assets in the last few months in tandem with Damian Lillard and James Harden.

The Atlanta Hawks have long been discussed as a potential trade partner, even after guard Dejounte Murray was taken out of trade talks due to his recent extension. The Hawks’ best chance of landing Siakam will involve trading away some of their younger players.

With Siakam a free agent after this season and his reported unease with signing a contract for any team that is not the Raptors, trading him could be difficult to pull off. That hasn’t stopped the Hawks, who are willing to part with large chunks of the rotation, from trying to make it happen.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Hawks have offered a package centered around De’Andre Hunter, former first-round pick AJ Griffin, and draft compensation. The Raptors have asked for more for Siakam, showing an unwillingness to give in at this point.

NBA rumors: Hawks offered 2 players for Raptors’ Pascal Siakam.

If Ujiri is prioritizing picks in this deal, the draft assets Atlanta is flipping over could be what ultimately ends up making this trade happen. If the Hawks do not surrender any unprotected picks, it could be very hard for them and the Raptors to come to any sort of agreement.

Hunter is a perfect Raptors-type player who can switch, defend, and score with ease. He could take an offensive step forward with greater opportunity. Griffin, son of longtime Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, is a shooter that can expand his offensive game and become a long-term cornerstone.

Ujiri has a history of demanding a ton for his players in trade talks, with OG Anunoby’s going rate at the 2022-23 NBA Trade Deadline reportedly getting as high as three first-round picks. While this method prevents the Raptors from making a trade for trade’s sake, it’s tough to get deals done.

Siakam is one of the best power forwards in the game, and the Raptors shouldn’t just give him to a team in the championship-contending tier for the sake of making a deal. He is a prized asset who wants to be in Toronto, so any trade needs to be made with lots of supervision and extra analysis.