Somehow, nobody can get a read on the Toronto Raptors. At this year’s NBA trade deadline, they were supposed to blow it up. Everyone expected the Raptors to host a fire sale. Instead, they acquired Jakob Poeltl in exchange for a first-round pick.
Heading into the summer, that same confusion remains. Will the Raptors fire Nick Nurse? Will they trade their best players? If they do, Pascal Siakam will be the most coveted of them all.
This is a superstar wing who should be able to help any team in the NBA. If the Raptors make him available, he’ll have a robust market. Here are three teams that we think should target him.
Brooklyn Nets
Frankly, the Brooklyn Nets should target any star that becomes available this summer. Why wouldn’t they? This team owes its first-round picks to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. The Nets have no incentive to tank. They might as well put the best team that they can together.
Adding Siakam would surely help them do so. The Nets already have an outstanding defensive roster. Adding a two-way, playmaking wing like Siakam should make them considerably better.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Brooklyn Nets Updates
On Toronto’s end, the Nets have the draft capital to make it happen. They may need to take Ben Simmons’ contract back, but with the addition of five or six first-round picks, they may not mind. In all likelihood, that’s what the Nets would have to send out to acquire any star player.
Oklahoma City Thunder
With that said, if the Raptors want draft capital, nobody can offer them more than the Oklahoma City Thunder. In fact, this team has more draft capital than any team has in NBA history. They could offer the Raptors a huge collection of first-round picks and still have a collection that’s among the NBA’s best.
Meanwhile, this looks like a team that’s ready to take a step forward. If the Thunder want to consolidate assets to make a push toward contention, Siakam could be the perfect target.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Oklahoma City Updates
If Chet Holmgren meets his potential, that would be even truer. Siakam’s versatile defense alongside his potentially elite rim protection should anchor an elite defense for this team. In fact, any team looking for a defensive star should target Siakam.
Portland Trail Blazers
Frankly, fans have been clamoring for the Portland Trail Blazers to make this kind of move for a couple of years. They’ve already got their offensive centerpiece. Damian Lillard is among the most talented scoring guards in NBA history. On the other hand, he badly needs help.
That help should probably come by way of a two-way wing. Lillard has his struggles on the defensive end. As a score-first guard, his co-star should probably be a playmaker, too.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
in other words, Siakam would be a perfect fit. Meanwhile, the Blazers have an intriguing offer for the Raptors. In all likelihood, it would be headlined by the Canadian Shaedon Sharpe. If they bring the recent rookie in, this organization’s goals will suddenly become easier to discern.
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