Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C Isaiah Hartenstein, F Obi Toppin, 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2025 First-Round Pick (Swap – NYK), 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
You’ll notice that we’ve got the Toronto Raptors receiving virtually the same draft capital here, with a different collection of players. We promise you that was a deliberate choice.
Firstly, the Raptors could really use Hartenstein. This team is in the market for a starting caliber big man. Hartenstein has established himself as a stout defensive big who can at least shoot the midrange, and make plays for others with a deft passing touch as well.
Toppin feels like a Raptor as well. After all, this team seems to be making a habit of stacking playmaking wings. Of course, that begs a question: why trade Pascal Siakam at all?
Well, one could make the case that he’s stepping on reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes’ toes. If the Toronto Raptors did move Siakam it would be because they want to retool their roster around Barnes. Toppin is solid, but he’s unlikely to shake up this team’s hierarchy.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: New York Knicks, Pascal Siakam & Toronto Raptors Updates
On the other hand, Pascal Siakam would entirely revolutionize the Knicks’. In fact, he’d instantly become this team’s best player. The Knicks needn’t worry about his fit alongside Julius Randle either – Siakam got plenty of reps as a 5 with the Toronto Raptors in 2021-22.
