All summer, NBA fans talked about Damian Lillard. The Miami Heat were supposed to land him. They didn’t. For a short time, the Toronto Raptors were supposed to land him. They didn’t. Now, Lilard joins the Milwaukee Bucks. They could be a superpower in the 2023-24 season.
Could the Heat? That remains to be seen. This team is in an exciting situation. The Heat just made a run to the NBA Finals. At the same time, they barely squeaked into the playoffs after earning their spot via the play-in tournament. Miami could contend next season, but it isn’t a foregone conclusion.
As for the Raptors? They don’t look like contenders. The Raptors missed the playoffs last season and lost Fred VanVleet during the offseason. They’re the least likely to make a deep playoff run of all three teams. Could they trade Pascal Siakam to the Heat as a result?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Tyler Herro, G/F Jaime Jaquez Jr., F Nikola Jovic, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
How did this happen? It feels unfathomable. Lillard openly wanted to join the Heat. The Heat surely had an interest in landing him. This is the era of player empowerment. If a superstar wants to go to a team, he’s going there.
Apparently not. Lillard was seldom linked to the Bucks. He landed there anyway. Perhaps a paradigm is shifting. It may be that player empowerment has its limits. Some have suggested that the Blazers are taking the power back. On the other hand, it may simply be that a deal didn’t materialize.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Miami Heat & Toronto Raptors Updates
We’ve heard it all. It’s been said that the Blazers weren’t interested in Herro. That makes sense – the Blazers have enough young guard talent. Yet, couldn’t a three-team deal have been arranged? Surely, Herro had a market. Should the Raptors get it in on his market now?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
In contrast to the Blazers, the Raptors do feel like a good fit for Herro. This team has been light on half-court shot creation for the last couple of years. Herro provides plenty of it. He’s among the most gifted shot-creating guards in the NBA when he’s on.
He’s also young enough to be part of the future. That’s critical for Toronto. If they’re moving to Siakam, it means they’re rebuilding. Herro is a perfect fit alongside Scottie Barnes. Barnes’ playmaking and Herro’s shot-creating could be the backbone of this team for years to come.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Miami Heat & Toronto Raptors Updates
Yet, Siakam is much more impactful than Herro as a two-way player. That’s why the Raptors are getting more back here. Both Jovic and Jaquez are intriguing young players. Throw in a pair of unprotected firsts, and this could be enough for the Raptors to move on from their star forward. Should the Heat want him?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Some will say that the Heat need a point guard. Are we sure about that? This team just ran to the NBA Finals, with Kyle Lowry and Gabe Vincent in that spot. Sure, they could use some depth there now that Vincent is gone, but they don’t necessarily need to add a star point guard. The Heat get plenty of playmaking between Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
Meanwhile, they also needed a four during last year’s NBA Finals. Kevin Love was a bit too slow to keep up with Aaron Gordon. Caleb Martin was a bit too small. Siakam could be just right. His defensive versatility would have been huge for Miami last year. Of course, that’s not the only reason a team would acquire Siakam – he’s also a dynamic playmaker who can create his shot.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Miami Heat & Toronto Raptors Updates
Is he a perfect fit? Not exactly. Miami will need some floor spacing following this deal. At the same time, if they started Adebayo, Siakam, and Butler alongside Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson, they may strike that balance. In the end, acquiring Siakam could get them back in the Finals – even if they missed out on Damian Lillard.
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