2. New York Knicks
This would be a nightmare situation, but this can’t be discarded. With doubts about RJ Barrett’s ability to be a key player on a championship team and the Knicks’ perpetual habit of being linked to top free agents, don’t be surprised if New York tries to go after Siakam.
While the fit might seem a bit odd alongside Julius Randle, Siakam has shown to be a versatile enough player to make things work. With Josh Hart locked up long-term, the Knicks could move forward with a bigger lineup that includes both of these standout forwards sharing the floor.
Will the Toronto Raptors lose Pascal Siakam to the Knicks?
The Raptors still have the upper hand in Siakam talks, as they can offer him tons of money and familiarity, but there’s reason to believe that the Cameroonian star might not be all-in on a team that isn’t committing in totality to compete for championships in the immediate future.
The Knicks can be run impulsively at times, but that mindset helped them land Jalen Brunson. The Raptors can tempt Siakam with money, but they will have to recognize that a hated rival has a good amount of resources at their disposal and won’t be afraid to use them (especially if they strike out in trading for a superstar).