First, the Toronto Raptors traded OG Anunoby. Now, the Raptors are expected to see what they can get for Pascal Siakam next.
Siakam, 29, is a two-time All-NBA power forward. But he’s also in the last year of his contract, on a Raptors team that enters NBA games today in 12th place of the Eastern Conference. Chances are, Toronto is eager to accept the best offer they receive for the longtime franchise cornerstone before the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline passes.
Still, the two-time All-Star is expected to garner plenty of interest from contending teams and others looking to get back in the chase, like the Memphis Grizzlies.
NBA insider Marc Stein named a number of teams that could make sense for Siakam, including the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings.
Yet, any team hoping to make Siakam a part of their long-term future will have to take a risk. Right now, Siakam is only eligible to sign a two-year extension. Yet, according to Stein, Siakam wants to become an unrestricted free agent before signing anything.
This means teams likely won’t be willing to give up as much via trade in pursuit of Siakam since they won’t know whether they will get more than 40 games out of him, instead of a few seasons.
Once he becomes a free agent, Siakam will be eligible to sign a four-year, $203 million extension or a five-year, $304 million contract if he makes the All-NBA team this season.
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