Toronto Raptors: Trade Pascal Siakam would be a curious decision
Should the Toronto Raptors trade Pascal Siakam?
I don’t think anyone would argue with the fact that the Toronto Raptors are heading into somewhat of a transition phase for the franchise. The team is now two full seasons removed from their NBA Championship and have now parted ways with the two biggest players on that winning roster – Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry.
After signing and trading Lowry to the Miami Heat in free agency, there are big decisions that need to be made regarding Toronto‘s future. It all starts with what type of rebuild that Masai Ujiri wants to begin with the Raptors next.
Ujiri just signed an extension to remain with the Raptors and will now have full flexibility and autonomy to do what he wants with this roster. (not like he didn’t before). Even if that means drastically changing it; he can do that now if he wants.
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According to a recent report, there are teams in hot pursuit of Pascal Siakam. He was a hot name in the rumor mill earlier this offseason, before the NBA Draft. Ultimately, he wasn’t moved at the draft and there’s a better chance that he isn’t moved than he is. Even though a case can be made that he left a bit to be desired as a No. 1 option, it would be quite strange for the Raptors to trade away their best player especially after the recent departure of Lowry.
Are the Toronto Raptors ready for a full-blown rebuild?
Essentially, it would indicate that the team is looking to make a complete rebuild of the roster. And if the Raptors pull the trigger on a deal for Siakam (which would almost definitely include a haul of young players and/or picks), then who on the roster would be next?
If the Raptors decide to trade Siakam, you’d have to wonder if they would be opposed to trading Fred VanVleet. He’s also 27 years old and was, technically, a part of the team’s previous build.
Trading Siakam could certainly have a huge domino effect on the rest of the roster. And if the Raptors decide to move on from Siakam, it would make sense for Ujiri to scrap everything and start from scratch with the current young(er) players on the roster.
Even though it’s probably in the best interest for Ujiri to do what’s best for the franchise regarding the roster, you’d have to wonder if trading Siakam would quantify as that. Especially if that equates to a long rebuild.
A core of Siakam, VanVleet, and OG Anunoby might be a bit underwhelming at this point, especially when looking at the landscape of the rest of the Eastern Conference, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Next. NBA: 5 teams that improved the most after free agency. dark
And trading Siakam this offseason would indicate a long road back to relevance for a franchise that may not be able to afford a long rebuild.