Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam has been involved in a ton of NBA trade rumors following a disappointing season for the team. With Nick Nurse out as head coach and Darko Rajakovic having replaced him, things could be changing up north.
We’re reading reports that the Raptors’ front office has been difficult to work with this summer. Even then, it just makes too much sense to move off a couple veterans. That’s especially true with star guard Fred VanVleet set to leave in free agency.
It stands to reason that Siakam would be Toronto’s most valuable trade chip. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, the 29-year-old forward is averaging 22.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 47% shooting. Interest in him from contending teams won’t be limited. Here is a look at four ideal trade scenarios.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA trade rumors
Luka Doncic gets more help with the Dallas Mavericks
- Mavericks get: Pascal Siakam
- Raptors get: 10th pick, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans, future 1st-round pick
Dallas is certainly shopping the 10th pick as part of a package to find Luka Doncic more help after last season’s struggles. Whether the team pulls off a move remains to be seen. What we do know is that general manager Nico Harrison is active on this front.
Picking up Siakam to team up with Doncic (and presumably Kyrie Irving) would obviously enhance the Mavericks’ ability to contend in the Western Conference moving forward.
- Pascal Siakam stats (2022-23): 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.8 APG, 48% shooting
Already boasting a lottery pick (13th overall) in the 2023 NBA Draft, adding a top-10 selection could help Toronto expedite its rebuild. A future lightly protected first-round pick from Dallas magnifies this further. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Green could be a building block moving forward. The guard averaged 9.1 points on 40% shooting from distance as a third-year player in 2022-23.
Pascal Siakam teams up with Damian Lillard
- Blazers get: Pascal Siakam
- Raptors get: 3rd pick, Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little, Keon Johnson
Blazers general manager Joe Cronin is leaving no stone unturned in an attempt to find a running partner for franchise stalwart Damian Lillard. The future Hall of Famer’s future in the Pacific Northwest could rely on it.
Some might conclude that the No. 3 pick and a 20-point scorer in Simons is too much for Portland to give up in this hypothetical. That’s foolish. Siakam would be the best frontcourt player Lillard has teamed up with since the days of LaMarcus Aldridge. They don’t come a dime a dozen.
In this scenario, Toronto adds the aforementioned Simons to the mix. We’re talking about a 24-year-old guard who averaged 20.1 points and 4.1 assists on 38% shooting from distance a season ago. He’s someone to build around moving forward. The Raptors are then able to select whoever is remaining between Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller with the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Related: Pascal Siakam and the top-50 NBA players of 2023
Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors pull off blockbuster
- Warriors get: Pascal Siakam
- Raptors get: Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Patrick Baldwin Jr., 19th pick
Will new Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. look to pull off a blockbuster trade this summer? It wouldn’t be a shock with both Poole and Kuminga on the trade block. Golden State might also be feeling renewed pressure after the Phoenix Suns acquired Bradley Beal in a blockbuster.
In this scenario, Siakam would slide in at the four with Draymond Green (if he returns) playing small-ball center. A starting five of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson Andrew Wiggins, Green and Siakam has a nice ring to it.
Toronto’s goal in any Siakam trade has to be to acquire a combination of young players and draft picks. Golden State offers the best of both worlds. Despite his inconsistencies, the 24-year-old Poole is averaging nearly 20 points per game over the past two seasons. At 20, Kuminga is a high upside forward who would fit well with Scottie Barnes in the frontcourt.
Related: NBA trade tracker with grades
Pascal Siakam to the Big Apple
- Knicks get: Pascal Siakam
- Raptors get: Immanuel Quickley, Miles McBride, Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, 2 1st-round picks
Making a move for Siakam would be a precursor to trading Julius Randle in a separate deal. While that might seem like a lateral move, Siakam’s low-post ability next to wing RJ Barrett seems to be a better fit for the Knicks. It also must be noted that New York has other assets to pull off a blockbuster should a “true” star become available to team up with Jalen Brunson, Barrett and Siakam in this hypothetical.
Toronto’s return in this proposed deal includes a reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year finalist in guard Immanuel Quickley. Some around the Association view him as a legitimate future star. Adding two first-round picks, one of which would be lightly protected, is just icing on the cake for the team.