One NBA writer is proposing that the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors make a trade centered around Pascal Siakam and RJ Barrett.
Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed that the Knicks trade Barrett and Quentin Grimes to the Raptors for Siakam.
“Siakam and Julius Randle would form one of the best frontcourt duos in the NBA, with Jalen Brunson pulling the strings from the backcourt,” Bitar wrote. “Siakam and Randle can both push the floor, rebound, and defend while competing on offense as inside finishers and also decent outside shooters. Getting Siakam out of Toronto won’t be easy, because it would require a mix of players including 23-year-old Barrett and 23-year-old Grimes.
“On the flip side, the Raptors continue their build around 21-year-old former Rookie of the Year winner Scottie Barnes. The Raptors did not re-sign Fred VanVleet which means the days of going all-in are essentially over. Rather, the Raptors would be clever to move on from their most valuable asset (excluding the untouchable Barnes) and bring back two players under the age of 24 for a new core group. While the Raptors won’t be in the playoffs most likely, the building blocks will be there.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors & New York Knicks Updates
Siakam averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season for the Raptors while shooting 48.0% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 77.4% from the free-throw line. Toronto is open to trading Siakam for the right price since the franchise is hesitant to offer him a max contract extension. Siakam is eligible for a contract extension since he has one year left on his deal.
Siakam signed a four-year, $136 million rookie contract extension with the Raptors in October 2019. He will make $37.9 million next season. The NBA champion has career averages of 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He won the 2019 title and the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
The Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The lefty averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season while shooting 43.4% overall, 31.0% from 3 and 74.0% from the free-throw line. Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million rookie-scale extension with the Knicks in September 2022.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors & New York Knicks Updates
A Toronto native, Barrett has career averages of 18.1 points, 5.4 boards and 2.8 assists. It will be fascinating to see if the Knicks and Raptors talk about a potential Siakam-Barrett trade in the future.
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