The Toronto Raptors are just a couple of months away from the start of the NBA regular season, but it is unclear what their team will look like. The Raptors appear open to trading star Pascal Siakam as well as OG Anunoby, and if they do, then that would signal a complete rebuild.
Several teams have been linked to both players and if one is moved, then the other could soon change teams as well. Of the two players, Siakam appears to be the most likely Raptor to be dealt, given his trade value and the fact that he is on an expiring contract.
Toronto could technically extend him, but keeping him could be costly, especially if he makes All-NBA next season, allowing him to qualify for a super-max contract. Rather than risk having to pay him more than $300 million or having him leave in unrestricted free agency, they may instead seek to offload him to jumpstart their rebuild. Now, let’s take a look at ten trades for Siakam that the Raptors must consider.
NBA Trades #10: Karl-Anthony Towns
Much like with the Raptors, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been considering whether to move star Karl-Anthony Towns this summer. That raises a question about whether the two could be traded for one another. Siakam and Towns make within $2 million of each other, allowing them to be traded straight up without any additional assets needing to be thrown in.
That would certainly make for an interesting proposal and might make both teams strongly consider it. Then again, although a Siakam for Towns deal is possible, there are a couple of drawbacks that could prevent a deal from happening.
For the Timberwolves, while it is clearly Anthony Edwards’ team going forward, Towns is under contract for four more seasons and is about a year and a half younger than Siakam. Trading for him would shorten their window and could prove more costly.
Siakam would probably be a better fit in Minnesota given his defensive ability while Towns might be a better long-term fit with the Raptors. That being said, it could come down to whether Siakam is willing to sign an extension with the Wolves and for how much.
NBA Trades #9: New Orleans Pelicans
Despite having a relatively quiet offseason in terms of roster moves, there has been quite a bit of drama surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans and superstar Zion Williams. That even led to rumors that the Pelicans were considering trying to trade up in the 2023 NBA draft to try and acquire the draft rights to Scoot Henderson, with Zion presumably being a part of that deal.
That didn’t happen, but it doesn’t foreclose the possibility that the Pelicans could actually make a big trade to improve their roster around Zion and company. This particular proposal would see them send both starting and back centers Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr., as well as two recent lottery picks Kira Lewis and Dyson Daniels. That would be a lot to give up, but the Pelicans are a deep team as is, and they are already looking to trade Valanciunas.
They would add to their already impressive core of CJ McCollum, Zion, and Brandon Ingram, who, while talented, have barely played together in a season and a half of being on the same team. He could be insurance in case one of them gets injured or they decide to trade one of their big three.
For the Raptors, Valanciunas and Nance could both later be flipped to other teams for more picks, while Lewis might provide depth at point guard, and Daniels projects to be a very good two-way starting guard. Overall, there might be better offers on the table, but Pelicans can put together at least a competitive one.
NBA Trades #8: Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have been linked to Siakam’s teammate, OG Anunoby, but they have more than enough assets needed to make a run at Siakam if they so choose. The Grizzlies can offer up Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, Zaire Williams, and two first-round picks. That might be enough to acquire him and put him on a team that still managed to finish with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season.
This despite the drama surrounding Ja Morant, who now finds himself suspended for the first 25 games of next season. A lineup consisting of Morant, Desmond Bane, Siakam, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Steven Adams would have the scoring, size, and defensive versatility needed to try and win the West.
From the Raptors perspective, Clarke and Kennard are both assets that might not help during a rebuild but can be flipped. Meanwhile, Williams is a project after being taken in the lottery a couple of years ago, and receiving two firsts for Siakam would be as good as they can expect to get for a star on an expiring contract. If offered, it could be a worthwhile deal for the Raptors.
NBA Trades #7: Philadelphia 76ers
With Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden seemingly staying put for the time being, the Sixers may look to cash in their remaining assets to try and form a big three. Or perhaps they want to acquire a star to make it easier to move on from Harden. Either way, Siakam might be an option, particularly with new Raptors coach Nick Nurse now in Philadelphia.
Additionally, the Sixers have a massive expiring contract with Tobias Harris, allowing them to easily match salary with the Raptors. Matching salaries alone won’t cut it, and although Philadelphia has few young prospects, they do have some—but not many—picks to offer. Their best tradeable asset, aside from Tyrese Maxey, whom they aren’t going to trade, is an unprotected 2029 first-round pick.
With MVP Joel Embiid turning 30 next season, he’d be in his mid-30s by the time that draft selection comes due. That would likely mean that Toronto could receive a lottery pick for their best player. Add in a pick swap in 2028, and the 76ers might be able to put together a competitive offer. On the other hand, they would have more assets to offer up if and when Harden is moved, and a potential deal between the Sixers and Raptors could include a third team.
NBA Trades #6: New York Knicks
Of the eight teams that made it to the second round of the NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks are the ones best positioned to trade for a star. After failing to trade for Donovan Mitchell last summer, the Knicks have kept their powder dry for a potential deal for another star, and Siakam might be that player. New York can offer up RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, Immanuel Quickley, and a firsts to Toronto.
Barrett is a talented young player on a long-term deal. Quickley has one year remaining on a cheap rookie contract and can help the Raptors at point guard after losing Fred Vanvleet, and Fournier is on a big expiring contract. Add in a firsts in next year’s NBA draft, and this hypothetical deal is as good as any that another team could reasonably offer for Siakam.
For New York, Siakam would give the Knicks another star to pair with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, though there might be some fit issues between Siakam and Randall. Even still, the trade would make the Knicks better and allow them to build upon their most successful season in a decade.
NBA Trades #5: Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers were a surprise team last season and also surprisingly have an interest in Siakam. Trading for him would be a win-now move, and the Pacers don’t yet appear ready to compete. Then again, they do have one of the best point guards in the league in Tyrese Haliburton and a couple of very promising young players in Benn Mathurin and Jarace Walker. They also have plenty of draft picks and enough players on big contracts to match salaries in a trade.
The proposed deal would send Buddy Hield and his big expiring contract, along with Daniel Theis and prospect Isaiah Jackson, to the Raptors for Siakam. The Pacers would also send a pair of top-seven protected future first-round picks to the Raptors to complete the deal. For Toronto, Hield could later be moved again for more picks, while Theis has a team option for the 2024–25 season, allowing them to quickly move on from him if they choose.
Meanwhile, Jackson is a promising big man with terrific athleticism, but receiving two Pacers first-round picks is the centerpiece of the trade package. Even with Siakam, the Pacers might not make the playoffs in the East, giving Toronto the possibility of receiving a low lottery pick, perhaps even two, in this trade.
On the flip side, Indiana has never been a team to bottom out, and going for Siakam would definitely boost their ceiling. That could make them relevant again, and if their young players are even better than expected, then the Pacers will continue to surprise next season.
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.
NBA Trades #3: Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are definitely a wildcard team to land Siakam, despite their cap situation. The Warriors have the largest payroll in the NBA and will also have the highest luxury tax payment, making it much tougher for them to make trades under the new CBA. Be that as it may, Golden State has a big expendable contract in Chris Paul, plus enough intriguing young players as well as draft picks needed to enter the Siakam sweepstakes.
A trade package consisting of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and a top-5 protected 2028 pick could be enough to get a deal done with the Raptors. After all, both Kuminga and Moody were recent lottery picks. Additionally, Golden State’s pick in 2028 is far enough out that stars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green will all likely be retired by then.
That all but ensures that Toronto will receive a high lottery pick in exchange for their best player. For Golden State, giving up a 38-year-old point guard, a young player in Kuminga that they already nearly traded, as well as Moody and a far-out first, should be a reasonable price to pay for Siakam.
After all, adding him would not only improve Golden State’s sagging ceiling but also raise their floor. They would boast arguably the best starting lineup in the NBA, with Curry, Thompson, Siakam, Green, and Looney. They would even have a good bench, with all-star Andrew Wiggins being pushed to the second unit as well as contributor Gary Payton II. This deal actually makes sense for both Toronto and the Warriors.
NBA Trades #2: Los Angeles Clippers
With the Los Angeles Clippers seemingly out of the running for James Harden, they could set their sights on Siakam. While the Clippers have one of the largest payrolls in the NBA, they have plenty of expiring contracts needed to get a deal with the Raptors done.
Moving on from Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, and Nic Batum would allow them to match salaries and clear a major hurdle to get a trade completed. The other hurdle would be draft assets, which the Clippers are short on, but they can trade both their 2028 and 2030 first-round picks (top-eight and top-10 protected).
All things considered, that would be a surprisingly competitive offer from the Clippers since Toronto wouldn’t have to take back any long-term salary and could very well receive two lottery picks in this proposed deal. For the Clippers, adding Siakam would put them back on top of the West, assuming that their other stars can stay semi-healthy.
A starting lineup of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Siakam, and Ivica Zubac would have plenty of offensive firepower as well as three switchable defenders. On paper, this trade is certainly a possibility. But the thought of re-signing Siakam to a max contract and seeing their already sky-high luxury tax bill shoot up might give the Clippers pause.
NBA Trades #1: Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have been consistently mentioned as a possible trade candidate for Siakam, but the Raptors just rejected a trade from them. That deal would have sent Patty Mills, De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin, 2023 first-round selection Kobe Bufkin, and a first to the Raptors for Siakam.
That didn’t happen, but their persistence may end up paying off. Atlanta has enough assets needed to get a deal done, and they even have a player in Clint Capela that would make it easier to bring in a third team.
As for an amended proposal, the Hawks could trade Capela to the Dallas Mavericks for Richaun Holmes while the Mavericks trade JaVale McGee, and a 2027 first-rounder to Toronto. That would give Toronto two recent first-round picks in Griffin and Bufkin, a starting wing in Hunter, and two future firsts.
That would be a terrific haul for Siakam and would also give both the Hawks and the Mavs players that they want. With other teams possibly looking to acquire Siakam, the Hawks should be motivated to get a deal done since they already have two other stars, and adding a third could make them a top-4 seed in a deep Eastern Conference.