8 NBA stars most likely to bolt in free agency in 2024

NBA Stars #4: Pascal Siakam

With one year left on his contract and the Toronto Raptors having reason to rebuild, he seems like a likely candidate to leave in free agency if he isn’t first traded. The 29-year-old can qualify for a supermax by making All-NBA but the Raptors likely aren’t going to be willing to pay him over $300 on a new contract. Instead, they will probably look to move him, especially if they get off to a slow start.

The Raptors have reason too, with the San Antonio Spurs owning their top-six protected first-round pick this season and next. Were they to hold on to Siakam, they may not make the playoffs again and could be giving up a top-10 pick. Or, they could trade Siakam and potentially OG Anunoby in hopes of bottoming out.

That would allow them to possibly add several firsts, keep their pick away from the Spurs, and start a new era. Assuming Siakam is moved at some point before this trade deadline, he will still hit free agency.

But another team probably wouldn’t acquire him without some type of understanding that he would re-sign. Even then, without a contract beyond next season, there is always the risk of him leaving his new team.