The Toronto Raptors need to shift their attention back to Pascal Siakam after the latest trade saga managed to die down. With Damian Lillard having been traded to Milwaukee, getting Siakam signed long-term has to be the top priority for Masai Ujiri.
Siakam is an impending free agent, and it makes all the sense in the world to give him a deal that pays him like one of the top players in the league. Siakam remains in limbo, a self-inflicted situation that comes across as puzzling for an organization that has fawned over him in the past.
According to Michael Grange of SportsNet, the Raptors have not discussed an extension with Siakam or his camp at this point in time. As odd as that sounds, the follow-up to that makes the way Ujiri has decided to handle this situation even more puzzling.
Grange added that Siakam would “jump” on an extension if offered, but talks remain in a “wait-and-see” stage. What more does Toronto need to wait for and see? Siakam is an elite player who wants to be with this team. Can they get the deal done already?
"There's been no progress on an extension at all. There's been no approach from Toronto. From the players side (Siakam), they would absolutely want to jump on it. Right now, it's kind of a wait-and-see. "
— . (@GTJGotNext) September 28, 2023
-via Michael Grange on The Raptors Show (https://t.co/GdhCDHW7i9) pic.twitter.com/js8jQIXxhM
NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors not extending Pascal Siakam
Siakam has made an All-Star appearance and earned an All-NBA nod despite playing a physically difficult style of basketball with some of the worst spacing in the league. With a new offensive-minded coach in Darko Rajakovic coming to town, Toronto should be begging to see what he’ll cook up with Siakam.
Toronto could save a ton of money if they’d decide to extend Siakam now, as he could end up earning a supermax contract that pays him around $300 million if he makes All-NBA again. If Siakam wants a deal now, and the Raptors allegedly want him back, what is the hold up here?
While Ujiri likely envisions a world in which Scottie Barnes can eventually take over as the top dog in Toronto, it is foolish to think that tearing the roster down to the studs and potentially subtracting Siakam from the equation is anything except a calamitous mismanagement of resources