Does this trade make sense for the Toronto Raptors?
This year’s Toronto Raptors team is going to look a lot different without their “heart-and-soul” in Kyle Lowry, but they really are not a contender anymore given the talent they currently have.
This is a team that could contend for a play-in spot, but having just Siakam and VanVleet as their two main stars with secondary talents in OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr., and others is not enough to compete in the Eastern Conference anymore.
However, adding Ben Simmons to the mix suddenly makes the Raptors an intriguing team to watch because of their length. If Simmons was to start at point guard for Toronto, they would have a potential lineup of Simmons, VanVleet, Anunoby, Barnes, and Birch, meaning that four of their five starters would be 6’7” or taller.
Not only would Toronto be a really tall team with Simmons, but they would also be a really strong defensive team since all the guys in their starting unit have been known to be a factor defensively.
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The thing about Pascal Siakam is that he really is not an “alpha” in the sense that other All-Stars like Paul George, Zion Williams, and even Kyle Lowry are. He is a great talent, but he is not a guy who can be the No. 1 option on a championship-caliber team.
We can say the same thing about Ben Simmons right now, but if he is given the chance to lead a team, Simmons could very well break out and have his best season since being drafted. He may not be much of a factor as a shooter offensively, but Ben Simmons is a top-tier player in this league, especially if he is given the chance to lead a team and not be the “understudy.”
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This is a really strong deal for the Toronto Raptors to consider, especially if the Philadelphia 76ers are willing to listen. Simmons is a much better talent than Siakam potential-wise and Shake Milton is also a very strong bench player to add to their rotations.
