One NBA writer is proposing that the Detroit Pistons acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Pistons and Raptors:
The Trade: Marvin Bagley, Joe Harris, Killian Hayes, a 2026 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and 2028 first-round pick (top-five protected) to the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam
“On the surface, this trade feels aggressive given the state of Detroit’s rebuilding project,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “But the Pistons have enough irons in the prospect fire to picture a universe in which this roster rapidly matures next season. Cade Cunningham is a rising star, Jaden Ivey might be another, and Ausar Thompson could be an impact two-way wing. If one of the Pistons’ many young big men pops, Detroit could be a power forward away from making noise in the Eastern Conference. So, why not throw caution to the wind and make a run at Siakam?
“It would be risky with free agency awaiting him at season’s end, but the immediate reward could be massive. He is one of only seven players to average at least 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in each of the past three seasons.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors Updates
Several NBA teams have shown interest in pursuing Siakam via trade over the past three months, but the external market has been tempered a bit due to the fact that it’s been made clear Siakam would not extend with a team that trades for him. Siakam can sign for 30 percent of the salary cap either now via extension or next offseason as a free agent with the Raptors or any other franchise.
The Raptors are eligible to sign Siakam to a maximum contract extension of four years and at least $192 million. Thus far, there have been no substantive conversations surrounding an extension. And for Siakam’s part, the NBA star has never requested to be traded.
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. He’s one of the top forwards in the NBA.
A Douala native, Siakam has career NBA averages of 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He won the 2019 NBA championship and the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. The Atlanta Hawks have been trying to acquire Siakam all summer, sources told NBA Analysis Network, but Atlanta and Toronto haven’t made much progress on a trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Pistons could start Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Siakam and Jalen Duren if Detroit’s front office figured out a way to acquire Siakam from Toronto.
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