Toronto Raptors: Can Pascal Siakam evolve into a superstar?

If the Toronto Raptors want to remain contenders in the Eastern Conference, they’re going to need Pascal Siakam to take the next step into stardom

The Toronto Raptors couldn’t have been all that surprised when news broke that Kawhi Leonard would be signing with the Los Angeles Clippers a couple of weeks after the official start of free agency. It made even more sense considering the Clippers were also trading for Paul George. However, that doesn’t mean it didn’t leave a huge hole in the team’s roster.

For the defending NBA champions, it will be extremely difficult for the Raptors to get back to the Finals in 2019-20, if not impossible. On paper, the Raptors are, at best, the third-best team in the Eastern Conference. Safely, they’ll probably end up finishing the regular season in the 4-6 range.

However, there is one variable that can both positively and negatively impact where the Raptors finish this season. That variable just polished off a Most Improved Player season and could be the league’s next budding superstar. Pascal Siakam.

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For the Raptors, that’s the biggest question of the season. If Toronto is going to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, they’re going to need someone to fill the void left by Kawhi. And this isn’t to say that Siakam has to be exactly what Kawhi was, but he’ll have to up his production and be the star that the Raptors need to make a deep run in the postseason.

If last year was any indication, the Raptors should be encouraged about the potential of Siakam heading into a season where his usage rate should go up. During his breakout season, Siakam averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 55 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent shooting from 3-point range – career highs across the board.

Last season, Siakam had a 20.8 usage rate, which wasn’t even in the top 100 in the league. You can say that could be in large part thanks to Kawhi, who helped give Siakam freedom on the offensive end and open looks that he perhaps won’t have this season.

Or, you can credit Siakam for being efficient when he did touch the ball. Siakam’s efficiency can’t be argued. For a forward, 55 percent shooting from the field is a great mark. While his 3-point shooting isn’t at an elite level, he’s better than league average and is just scratching the surface on the offensive scorer that he can be.

There are still a few aspects of his came that point to his raw talent, areas that could be carved into strengths if he continues to put in the work. Something the Raptors hope to see this season, after an entire offseason knowing that his role on the team was going to increase.

On paper, it’s easy to see why Toronto is excited about Siakam. He’s 6-foot-9, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and can play multiple positions on the floor. He can run a fastbreak on his own and can hit the deep ball at a consistent clip. He’s more athletic than he gets credit for and is a threat to take over a game on any given moment – as we saw multiple times in the playoffs, including Game 1 of the NBA Finals where he finished with 32 points on 14-17 shooting from the field.

Siakam ended his magical breakout season by averaging 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists on 50 percent shooting during the NBA Finals. Even though he struggled with his shot for much of the six-game series, Siakam still found ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

For a young player that was participating in his first NBA Finals, it was extremely impressive to see him star as the team’s second-best player on the brightest of stages. When Kawhi needed help, Siakam was there lifting his own weight, and then some.

As the 2019-20 season quickly approaches, don’t expect the Raptors to be complacent. They’re the defending champs and will still have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. The big question is whether or not they can replace their headliner from within. And if they can, Pascal Siakam will have to be the one to take the step into superstardom.