NBA Trades: 10 Pascal Siakam deals the Raptors must consider

NBA Trades #4: Brooklyn Nets

At last season’s NBA trade deadline, the Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets discussed a deal involving Siakam, with Ben Simmons also a part of the trade. Now that Siakam is clearly on the trading block, the Nets could try again to land him. Simmons, despite his negative value, is necessary because his salary for next season is comparable to Siakam’s. That makes a potential trade much easier to construct.

Though taking back Simmons’ $80 million in remaining salary will likely cost the Nets at least one additional first-round pick, resulting in them giving up three in this proposed deal. Getting off of his contract and adding Siakam might be worth it to the Nets, however, considering that they are likely only a potential play-in team at the moment. Trading for him now also increases the chances that they can sign him to an extension rather than risk him testing out free agency.

For Toronto, Simmons is probably a lost cause, but who knows? Maybe he can figure it out playing on a rebuilding team. Even if he can’t, getting three picks in a deal for Siakam would be a win for the Raptors and help them jump-start their rebuild.