3 Ways the Toronto Raptors can win a Pascal Siakam trade
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have the ability to flip the NBA upside down in the next few months, as they have one of the most impressive trade assets in the league at their disposal in Pascal Siakam. The Raptors have once again been linked to a potential Siakam trade.
In tandem with insider Mark Medina saying that a Siakam trade appears to be more a matter of when, not if, it transpires, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Atlanta Hawks offered the Raptors a very impressive package of young players and draft picks to acquire him.
With Siakam’s impending free agency making it difficult for the Raptors to get a haul that is worthy of an All-NBA forward who is still on the right side of 30, the Raptors could end up ruining the future of their franchise if this trade is not consummated properly.
The Raptors can also make sure that the post-Siakam era is given a nitro boost provided by nailing the return package and sending him to the best destination possible. If most of these three objectives can be achieved, the Raptors can hold their heads high after making such a difficult decision.
3 ways the Toronto Raptors can win the Pascal Siakam trade.
3. Don’t trade him in the division
The Atlantic Division might be the toughest individual such grouping in the league, as all five teams looked posted to make some noise next season. To make matters even more interesting, many of Toronto’s top rivals have the assets needed to tempt them into a Siakam trade.
While the Celtics might not be able to accommodate Siakam financially, the Nets have a very interesting collection of young players and future picks. The Knicks could throw multiple rotation players to Toronto in exchange, and former Raptors coach Nick Nurse might be willing to extend some feelers with the 76ers.
The Toronto Raptors can’t trade Pascal Siakam in the Atlantic.
The only thing worse than getting a lackluster return for Siakam in a trade would be getting a party collection of assorted knick-knacks and watching him do his thing for a rival team. The two New York teams would love to set themselves apart by adding Siakam to the fold.
While Ujiri has discussed trades with rivals in the past, he would be a fool to send away Siakam to one of these teams. While none of them have been linked in the past, they could try to tempt Ujiri if the offseason continues to drag on and Ujiri’s trading itch gets more pronounced.