Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
Siakam may not be the most intuitive answer to the problem we just outlined. After all, he’s a solid floor spacer, but it’s not necessarily his strongest suit. Of course, where he stands compared to his peers depends on where he’s positioned:
At the 4, Siakam is a passable shooter, but at the 5, he’s one of the best in the NBA.
Moreover, Siakam got plenty of reps at center in Toronto in 2021-22. Whether that’s where the Hawks would primarily deploy him would be interesting to see, but in any event, it would be a viable option for them to work with.
Furthermore, adding Siakam gives the Hawks a bonafide big 3. There may only be one ball, but having multiple ball handlers to defend is a nightmare for opposing teams. Following this deal, the Hawks would certainly have offensive options.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Atlanta Hawks Updates
With that said, Siakam’s versatile defense would be just as important to Atlanta. After all, defense was a huge part of the Murray acquisition. Young may be an elite playmaker, but he’s one of the league’s worst stoppers. The Hawks acquired Murray to cover for him, but they should still prioritize two-way play in any co-star they land to play with Young.
With that said, should the Raptors really part with such a valuable young player?
