Raptors' rival being viewed as "prime team" for Pascal Siakam makes no sense

The Toronto Raptors and Pascal Siakam seem more likely to be headed toward a somewhat acrimonious divorce with each passing day, as the flood of trade rumors and lack of an extension make it logical for the Raptors to get something in return before he bolts in free agency.

Siakam is in a very difficult spot from a value perspective. While his salary would require some big names to be exchanged and his skills make him a top 30 player at worst in this league, teams might not be willing to give up a ton for a player they could sign in free agency in a few months.

Even with Siakam's departure very much in the realm of possibility for Toronto, teams like the Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks have found themselves clogging up Masai Ujiri's phone lines as they try to acquire him. One rival is also giving Siakam a go despite the fact they don't have a ton to offer.

According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers (led by former Siakam coach Nick Nurse) are viewed as a "prime team" to acquire Pascal via trade. Such a move would not only strengthen a division rival, but it wouldn't help the Raptors get a very promising return.

76ers make no sense as "prime team" for Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam.

Let's take Tobias Harris, who has a Siakam-esque salary and is also a free agent at the end of this season, out of the equation. What could Philly offer Toronto in this trade except for first-round picks that will almost assuredly end up in the later half of the first round?

Outside of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, no 76ers player under contract for 2024-25 is averaging more than 6.3 points per game. The picks Philly has likely won't be lottery selections, so why even consider an offer that doesn't provide much help in either the short or long term for Toronto?

To make matters worse, a Big Three of Embiid, Maxey, and Siakam might be enough to turn the 76ers into not only the best team in the Eastern Conference, but the best team in the NBA. Toronto already made one division rival better with the OG Anunoby deal, so why pull off a second trade?

There are plenty of teams who could give Toronto a solid offer for Siakam in trade talks. Philadelphia not only has inferior players to offer, but they would represent the nightmare scenario in terms of possible landing spots.