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NBA Trade Rumors: Bold Pascal Siakam blockbuster trade idea to reshape NBA

By Elliot Reeder

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 05: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at the TD Garden on April 05, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 05: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at the TD Garden on April 05, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /
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Pascal Siakam (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)
Pascal Siakam (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Atlanta Hawks land Pascal Siakam

Atlanta has already made one major move this offseason in trading away John Collins and could be looking to make another. While Atlanta could look internally at replacing Collins at PF (via Jalen Johnson or Saddiq Bey), they could also look at a trade target like Siakam. Siakam is one of the three big names available on the trade market at the moment (alongside Damian Lillard and James Harden).

Siakam is coming off a year in which he averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 48% shooting (32.4% from three). Siakam is one of the better power forwards in the league and would be a strong addition to the Hawks’ core.

However, for the Hawks (and any team acquiring Siakam) the biggest question of a potential acquisition of Siakam is the contract situation. Siakam is on an expiring $37.9 million deal, which means this could end up being a rental. The other concern would be what the potential extension would look like (and whether Siakam is even willing to sign it). Would the Hawks be willing to give Siakam a max? And would they be willing to make this trade if they cannot get an extension done?

Atlanta made a similar move last offseason in which they added Dejounte Murray, knowing that they could have to quickly give him an extension or watch him leave in Free Agency after just two years. Atlanta was ultimately able to avoid that and lock up Murray a few weeks ago for four years, $120 million (a bargain compared to what he could have asked for had he hit the open market next year). Would Atlanta be able to work out a similar bargain for Siakam and get away with not paying him what he could earn? Maybe not. However, saving money on the Murray extension does make it a little bit easier for the Hawks to pay Siakam more without having to feel the full brunt of the new CBA. Still, a Siakam extension is going to be a tough thing to sift through for the Hawks if they acquire him.

I think Siakam’s best role in Atlanta would be most similar to what his was in 2018-19 when he played alongside Kawhi Leonard as the Raptors won the NBA title. That year, Siakam’s usage rate was 20.8% (while Kawhi’s was at 30.3%). During that 2018/2019 season, Siakam averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 54.9% shooting from the field and 36.9% shooting from three.

This past year Siakam’s usage rate was 27.3% as he served more as the team’s #1 option. His usage rate over the past four seasons has been 28.1%, 26.3%, 25.8%, and 27.3%. As his usage rate and number of shots have gone up in the last few years, his efficiency has dipped some. While that is what usually happens, it does show an idea of what the ideal role for him is.

That 2018-19 season was by far Siakam’s most efficient season and shows what the Hawks’ plan might be for using him. While Siakam has experience being a #1 option the last few years, I believe he is best suited to being a strong No. 2 or No. 3. If Siakam can put up similar numbers and efficiency to what he did in that 2018/19 season (with maybe a little improvement as he has grown as a playmaker since then), I think the Hawks would be happy.

Losing AJ Griffin would probably be the toughest pill to swallow in this hypothetical trade for the Hawks. Griffin is part of a promising young core in Atlanta alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and 2023 1st rounder Kobe Bufkin. While many Atlanta fans want this group to stay together, you have to give up something to get something. Losing Griffin will hurt, but the Hawks might have to make that sacrifice.

However, adding another youngster in 22-year-old Josh Green (2020 No. 18 overall pick) can help replenish Atlanta’s young core (although Green would also need to be re-signed at some point). Green averaged 9.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this past year on 53.7% shooting from the field and 40.2% shooting from deep in a breakout third season. Green would provide some needed three-point shooting and should provide some quality depth on the wings for the Hawks. And again, he’s a young player who could continue to develop in Atlanta.

One of the key components and rationale behind the Hawks moving Capela would be to open up the starting center spot and thus more minutes for the 22-year-old Okongwu. It’s a bit of a risk to move off of an established veteran like Capela, but I believe that Okongwu has shown more than enough to make the Hawks believe that he can step into the starting center role and has the potential to be one of the top young bigs in the league.

The impact of losing Hunter will likely be felt the most on the defensive end, where he usually drew the other team’s best offensive player in Atlanta. The Hawks would have to figure out how to replace Hunter defensively for this trade to end up working.

While the trio of Young, Murray, and Siakam will probably have some growing pains and take some time to figure out how to play together, the Hawks would still be one of the deepest teams in the league and would have a strong “Big 3” at the top. Although Atlanta might have to make another move or two to fill out their depth down low.

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