Making the Case: Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have quickly built themselves an impressive young core that features Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and Scottie Barnes. Pascal Siakam with that squad makes for a playoff contender, but they’re still several steps away from title contention.
Siakam will turn 28 next season and while he’s undoubtedly one of the top players in this league, he’s proven to be better suited as a second option on a contender rather than the face of the franchise.
Keeping Spicy P will only ensure that the Raptors continue to make short postseason runs and stay outside of the draft lottery.
It also happens that Scottie Barnes is probably best off playing Siakam’s role and position. Trading Siakam will allow the Raptors to fully lean into their rebuild and unlock Barnes’s full potential.
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Landing a haul of three first-round picks, an established young player in a position of need in Brandon Clarke, a flier with potential in Ziaire Williams, and a solid backup guard in De’Anthony Melton is about as great of a haul as a team can ask for. This deal should make for a quick mini-rebuild for Toronto.
