NBA: 6 biggest risers and fallers entering the 2019-20 season

Rising Stocks

I’ll be optimistic and start with the group who had their value increase the most during the 2018-2019 season. If you get lost during this list, please re-refer to the agenda items.

Pascal Siakam – Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam is pretty easy one to start with. Siakam went from a bench player to a key contributor on a championship team. His offensive production exploded from what we saw last year, and earned him the title of the NBA’s most improved player. Siakam was one of the biggest surprises of the season, and it’s just an extra bonus for the Raptors that he is on such a team-friendly contract.

It has been reported that the Thunder tried to engage the Raptors in trade talks that would send Russell Westbrook and Paul George to the Raptors in exchange for a trade package centered around Siakam, but the Raptors declined.

One year ago today, could you imagine if someone told you that the Raptors wouldn’t give up Siakam for Westbrook and Paul George? That idea would have sounded crazy last summer, but today sounds reasonable considering that the Raptors are now moving into a post-Kawhi Leonard era where Siakam will be their most valuable asset. That’s why he gets the top spot on this list.