3 Pascal Siakam-needy teams who could trade Raptors a brand-new bench
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors went the entire offseason without officially agreeing to a trade that would send Pascal Siakam away for what would assuredly be a tremendous haul of promising players, prized picks, and financial flexibility. The results of that philosophy haven’t been too encouraging amid his slow start.
With an extension likely not happening anytime soon and the offense starting to struggle due in part to Siakam’s steep decline from a scoring point of view, the idea of trading him away could help Toronto more effectively lean into the Scottie Barnes experiment.
In much the same way the 76ers restocked the cupboard after the James Harden deal was consummated, the Raptors could fix their issues on the bench by getting controllable young players and future draft picks in exchange for a player who may have hit his professional peak.
Suppose Masai Ujiri is going to reverse his desire to keep Pascal in town and actually start to explore what would be one of the most impactful moves in Raptors history. In that case, he needs to get on the phone with any one of these three teams as he tries to gauge what it will take to acquire the Toronto legend.
3 teams who could trade bench players for Toronto Raptors PF Pascal Siakam.
3. Orlando Magic
While Siakam might encounter some of the same issues in Orlando that have plagued him in Toronto, there’s a good chance working with a more traditional big man like Paolo Banchero provides less friction than suiting up alongside a stylistic equal in Barnes.
The Magic may have extended Cole Anthony, but they can’t keep all of their guards long-term after adding yet another ball-handler to the mix in Anthony Black. Any one of them would be an upgrade on Toronto’s bench, and they could start converting their picks into players as they try to build a winner.
The Orlando Magic need a player like Pascal Siakam.
Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs certainly aren’t world-beaters, but both of them could become a high-end backup to Dennis Schroder. Orlando has many future first-round picks in their possession that moving off one or two of them likely won’t phase this front office.
In a state with no state tax, any contract Siakam signs could end up with him taking home more money. If cash and being comfortable is the priority, living in 80-degree weather with one of the best young teams in the league could appeal to him. If Siakam stays in Orlando, Toronto might pull the trigger on a deal.