An NBA team may find itself at a crossroads. They’re not sure which direction to take. After all, there are benefits to losing games. If you own your first-round pick, you can maximize the odds of it landing in the lottery. At the same time, the end goal for everybody is to win.
The Utah Jazz are at a crossroads. This team is competitive, but they’re not in the mix for an NBA title. The Jazz have an impressive collection of draft capital. With it, they could justify turning to the future. On the other hand, they could also justify making a trade for a star player.
What about the Toronto Raptors? They’re in a similar position. At the same time, they could have a better collection of draft capital. Moreover, the most important player on this team is the young Scottie Barnes. With that in mind, the Raptors could justify rebuilding around Barnes. Could they send Pascal Siakam to the Jazz?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Collin Sexton, F/C Kelly Olynyk, G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, 2025 First-Round Pick (MIN via UTA), 2027 First-Round Pick (CLE via UTA), 2029 First-Round Pick (UTA)
Utah Jazz Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
With that said, we may see fewer teams maximizing their lottery odds in the years to come. After all, the big prize has already been won. Teams around the league hoped to land Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft. Only one team could. In the end, that team was the San Antonio Spurs.
Does that mean tanking will end? Of course not. Sure, the next draft class is considered weak. Even still, there are strong prospects in it. A player like Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis, or Alexandre Sarr could easily exceed expectations. Any one of them could be a franchise-caliber player.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Utah Jazz & Toronto Raptors Updates
Moreover, teams don’t tank with a one-year window. They’re thinking several drafts ahead. Prospects like Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer could change a team’s prospects. All told, there’s more young talent coming into the league than ever before. Should the Raptors start thinking about it?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
In all likelihood, yes. Barnes may be a cornerstone player. At the same time, he hasn’t proven himself as a franchise’s leading man. His potential is limitless, but the Raptors would do well to start targeting more young potential stars for Barnes to grow with.
Will any of these picks land in the lottery? It’s hard to say. Both the Timberwolves and the Cavaliers have concerns that could cause their implosion. At the same time, they’re both competitive clubs at the moment. That’s a moot point – these picks are icing on the cake. The Raptors’ main objective here is to start tanking to maximize their own lottery odds in the coming years.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Utah Jazz & Toronto Raptors Updates
Meanwhile, they’re getting some interesting young players back here as well. Sexton could be the type of shot-creating guard that this team has been missing, and Horton-Tucker is the type of plus size playmaker that this team likes. All told, this should be enough for the Raptors to move on from Siakam. Should the Jazz want him?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The Jazz were one team that was supposed to be part of the Wembanyama sweepstakes. They weren’t. The Jazz had a hot start to the 2022-23 season. Eventually, they’d cool off – but the damage had been done. As a result, the Jazz had a middling team. They were rewarded with Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks for their trouble.
They’re both intriguing young players. Yet, neither is likely to be a franchise player. So, the Jazz ought to pick a direction. If they want to tank, they should trade Lauri Markkanen. If they don’t, they should trade for a star. Why not Siakam?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Utah Jazz & Toronto Raptors Updates
The Jazz could run a massive, versatile frontcourt following this deal. Siakam would join Markkanen and Walker Kessler. We don’t see a positional concern – Markkanen has spent ample time at the 3 in his career. If nothing else, this deal has Utah picking a direction – they won’t be at a crossroads anymore.
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