Top 5 Pascal Siakam moments during his unforgettable time with the Toronto Raptors

January 18, 2024 marked the end of an era for the Toronto Raptors franchise, as the last piece of their 2019 championship core, Pascal Siakam, was traded to the Indiana Pacers. Needless to say, the Raptors have committed fully to their young core with blossoming Scottie Barnes at the helm, assisted by his two new co-stars, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.

The Siakam era was marred by many ups and downs. Following Kawhi Leonard's departure in the 2019 offseason, the keys to the team were left to Siakam to carry on their pursuit of a repeat. The 2019-20 Raptors squad, with Siakam leading the way, exceeded expectations, securing the second seed in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record in the entire NBA.

Despite this, the Raptors were unable to defeat the Celtics in the second round of the 2020 playoffs, as Siakam struggled heavily in that series, which soon caused the narrative around him to shift in a negative light.

Nonetheless, Siakam faced the adversity in stride and elevated his play to another level in the seasons following the 2020 Bubble. He improved immensely as a playmaker, returning to All-NBA and All-Star form.

It is certainly sad to see Spicy P go, but he will always live in the hearts of Raptors fans for his tenacity, growth, and admiration for the city over the years. It's time to reminisce down memory lane, so here are five of Pascal Siakam's best moments in his Raptors tenure.

Top 5 moments in Pascal Siakam's career with the Toronto Raptors

5. Pascal Siakam has best statistical season of his career, makes second All-Star game appearance in 2023

The 2022-23 campaign for the Raptors was a bit rocky, as the team finished with a 41-41 record. Unfortunately for the Raptors, they fell to the Bulls in the play-in tournament, yet a redeeming factor for the team was the continued growth and outstanding play from Pascal Siakam. Originally left from the 2023 All-Star game, Siakam was later tabbed as an injury replacement for Kevin Durant.

Pascal Siakam returned to All-Star form in 2023 despite a poor season for the Toronto Raptors

It was justifiably so as Siakam was in the midst of his best statistical season, averaging a career-high 24.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds. In Week 10 of that season (December 19-25), Pascal Siakam was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week with absurd averages of 38.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

His improvement in points per game that week was largely due in part to a new career-high performance of 52 points in a win against the New York Knicks. The Raptors season might've ended in mediocrity that season, but it was still a monumental year for Pascal Siakam.

4. Pascal Siakam is named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2021-22 season

The 2021-22 season for the Toronto Raptors marked a bit of a new step in their direction as a franchise. For starters, the Raptors were going into the season without their longtime franchise point guard Kyle Lowry, who had left for Miami in free agency.

But with a legend's departure came the luck of the draw, as the Toronto Raptors selected fourth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, going with versatile forward Scottie Barnes. Siakam worked perfectly with the new addition, as he put together one of the finest individual seasons of his career.

Pascal Siakam's game took new heights in 2021-22 as he made the All-NBA Third Team

Lowry's leadership and veteran experience were sorely missed, but the Raptors were able to rally way above expectations as they clinched the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2021-22 NBA season. Much of their success was due in part to the excellent introductory season from Barnes, who won Rookie of the Year. Siakam's stellar leap to All-NBA form also boosted this team's chances.

Siakam's stats improved to 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, being one of seven players in the league that year to average at least 20/8/5, while also becoming the first Raptor ever to achieve these numbers. Not bad for someone they said only had one post move.

3. 2020 NBA All-Star Game starter, Pascal Siakam

The remnants of the 2019 championship unit were left to Siakam following Kawhi Leonard's decision to leave in free agency. Ignoring his postseason struggles, Spicy P did his absolute best to be the driving force for Toronto, improving his averages in the 2019-20 season to 23.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

This uptick in numbers across the board, along with the reigning champion Raptors' team success, resulted in Siakam getting the nod as a starter in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, in his first All-Star appearance no less. A No. 27 pick improving this quickly is one of the most improbable draft success stories in years.

Pascal Siakam's first glimpse of All-Star status came in the tumultuous 2019-20 NBA season.

And what a memorable All-Star game it was back in 2020, as it commemorated the life and career of the recently passed Kobe Bryant. In a game where vets like Chris Paul and teammate Kyle Lowry got their shine, it was more than satisfactory for Raptors fans to see their young star in Siakam showcased on such a big stage.

Considering this All-Star game preceded the world-changing events that were to follow in the coming months, it's fun to look back at great NBA moments like this one to recall live sports as they once were before it all came to a halt.

2. Pascal Siakam is named the NBA's Most Improved Player in the 2018-19 season

From being a key part of the Raptors' famed "bench mob" to becoming a full-fledged starter, Siakam showed impressive leaps in his game during the 2018-19 NBA season. Pascal became a household name known around the NBA for his defensive tenacity and ability to score at all three levels, as he had several breakout performances that year.

The Raptors sat atop the championship contender ladder led by their superstar Leonard and wily veteran Lowry, but Siakam's complimentary play as the team's third-string star helped mightily in their championship aspirations. He was rewarded as such with the MIP award at the end of the year.

Pascal Siakam's improvements in 2018-19 saw him secure the NBA's Most Improved Player award

Siakam received the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for November 5 to 11, averaging a team-high 20 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shooting well over 72% from the field to go with an incredible 98% shooting from the free-throw line.

Siakam also had his then career-high performance of 44 points, along with a career-best four three-pointers made in a win against the Washington Wizards on February 13, 2019. Spicy P ended his 2018-19 campaign with averages of 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, which saw him edge out Brooklyn's D'Angelo Russell to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award that year.

1. Pascal Siakam plays integral role in Toronto Raptors 2019 championship run

Without a doubt, Siakam's career highlight with the Raptors was his important contributions to the 2019 championship victory. It was the cherry on top of an already incredible season for Siakam that will define his legacy in the NBA.

In the Raptors' playoff run, Siakam showed out big time in a handful of games en route to the 2019 Finals. In a Game 3 win for the Raptors' first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic, Spicy P had a solid double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds. In the second round against the Philadelphia 76ers, Siakam had a great series that helped set the tone.

Pascal Siakam played a huge role in the Toronto Raptors winning their first franchise championship in 2019.

In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, Siakam had another helpful double-double performance of 25 points and 11 rebounds in a gritty double-overtime victory. It was Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors where Pascal Siakam led his Toronto Raptors to victory with an outstanding 32-point performance, to go with eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

This win fully cemented himself as an essential piece to the championship unit. When the Raptors closed the finals against Golden State in six games, Siakam once again led his team with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists to put the stamp on a remarkable championship journey.

Siakam is a legend, and no trade will change that.