Raptors Hands Are Finally On $700 Million Key Player For The Season…
Pascal Siakam has spent his whole eight-year NBA career with the Toronto Raptors, playing in 495 games for the team. The 29-year-old forward, a two-time All-Star, was a member of the Raptors’ inaugural championship team in 2019.
It makes sense why Toronto has held onto Siakam and continued to build around the 6-foot-8 standout from Cameroon. However, it could soon make greater sense for the Raptors to consider shopping Siakam ahead of the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 8.
As trade talks take place over the next two months, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reports that a “fairly robust market” for Siakam is anticipated. One possible partner? The Atlanta Hawks, maybe.
“The Hawks and Raptors discussed various permutations of a trade for Siakam this past summer,” according to Grange, “with things advancing enough that Atlanta had contacted Siakam’s representation to take measure of how open the eight-year veteran would be to signing an extension with the Hawks if the deal went through.”
If Atlanta was that serious about trying to acquire Siakam, then it could be part of the market for the forward now that the 2023-24 season is underway. That could especially be the case if he’s open to inking a long-term deal with the franchise.
Siakam, who is making $37.89 million this season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. It would cost the Hawks quite a bit to keep him around beyond the end of the season.
Still, Siakam would probably be worthwhile. Through 24 games this season, he is averaging 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Since the 2019–20 campaign, he has averaged at least 21 points per game every season.
Atlanta is 10-14 and sitting in 10th in the Eastern Conference. It could use an additional star player to help it move up the standings, and Siakam would surely fill that role.
Siakam could be a great fit in a Hawks lineup that features the talented backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Siakam would then give the team a much stronger presence in the post.
However, Toronto may be looking for a solid return in a trade, even though Siakam is in a contract year. Grange noted the Raptors “aren’t known for selling low,” so that could impact potential negotiations with trade partners.
Atlanta should push hard to sign Siakam, provided the price isn’t too steep. In order to complete a trade, it would make sense for the Hawks to forfeit some draft capital if it could guarantee that he would sign a long-term extension as well.