2 Pascal Siakam trade partners that make sense, 2 that don't
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have already bit the bullet with OG Anunoby, netting a fairly nice return of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a player with an expiring contract. After that deal was consummated, all eyes turned squarely toward former All-NBA power forward Pascal Siakam.
The Raptors can pick one of two very different paths with Siakam. They can either hand him that extension he has been looking for and commit to him as a piece of their future, or they can look to send him on his way and pick up more pieces that can be used in the rebuild around Scottie Barnes.
Teams across the league will be banging down the doors to acquire Siakam, who may not cost an arm and a leg due to his impending free agency. However, some spots just don't make sense for both Siakam as a player at this stage of his career and a Raptors team trying to turn the page.
The Raptors need to survey the entire landscape before they commit to a Siakam destination, as they need to find an ideal landing spot that both allows Siakam to contend and gets them back a boatload of goodies to begin the rebuild. Two possible Siakam spots fit that bill, while some make no sense at all.
2 Pascal Siakam trade destinations that make sense, 2 that don't
Makes Sense: Indiana Pacers
The Pacers and Atlanta Hawks have been linked to Siakam for years now, though Atlanta's recent poor run of form might knock them out of the win-now category. Indiana, however, still needs one more offensive difference-maker next to the terrific Tyrese Haliburton.
Indiana’s breakneck offense could be ideal for Siakam, as his ability to hunt for mismatches and go to work on the interior would be accentuated like never before. If Toronto wants young assets above all else, the Packers are unique in that multiple controllable rotation players could be sacrificed.
The Indiana Pacers could trade for Pascal Siakam.
Dealing with Indiana means that one of either Bennedict Mathurin or 2023 No. 8 pick Jarace Walker could be on the move to Toronto. The Pacers have some young pieces, meaning now is the time to cash in those future picks to build a team that makes Haliburton even more effective.
Siakam going from whatever he has experienced during the last two seasons in Toronto to the mind-bending offensive attack put on display by Indiana could be such a drastic change that it throws him back into the All-NBA tier. Imagine him at the power forward spot instead of Obi Toppin.