The NBA operates in cycles. Teams have rebuilding cycles. Trade rumors cycle, too. By now, we’re nearly at the end of a rumor cycle. James Harden is officially a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. One of the major dominos in the NBA has finally fallen.
They haven’t all fallen. There are still some prominent trade targets around the league. Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors is one of the most prominent ones. People have been speculating about Siakam’s potential availability for quite some time now.
Meanwhile, he’s been linked to some of the same suitors pretty consistently. One of those suitors has been the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s been suggested that Siakam could land on the Hawks countless times. Here’s a deal that has them finally joining them.
NBA Trade Proposal — Atlanta Hawks Land Pascal Siakam
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Clint Capela
Toronto Raptors Receive: F De’Andre Hunter, G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., G/F AJ Griffin, 2024 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – SAC via ATL), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
Let’s revisit that rebuilding cycle. All of these teams are in vastly different positions. For the Raptors, it’s probably time to restart that cycle.
This team is stuck in mediocrity. It’s time for the Raptors to make some moves. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are near the end of their cycle. This team is firmly in title contention.
Thus far, they’ve looked fantastic in 2023-24. The Mavericks have a pair of star players in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but now, they need to fill out the roster around those guys.
What about the Hawks? Well, they’re somewhere in between. The Hawks have a talented roster, but the results have been middling.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
They could justify rebuilding, and they could justify making a win-now push. Would Siakam be the right piece to help them make that push?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
We think so. The Hawks are built around Trae Young. He’s one of the best offensive players in the NBA – and one of the league’s worst defenders. So, the Hawks need to put quality defensive players around him.
Siakam is a fantastic two-way wing. He’s also a serviceable floor spacer and a strong secondary defender. The Hawks would be putting a star trio on their roster between Young, Siakam, and Dejounte Murray.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Once they develop the right chemistry, they should be poised for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Hawks can spare Capela. After all, they just extended Onyeka Onkongwu. This team may actually benefit from giving Onkongwu a runway.
Should the Mavericks be interested in Capela?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
Capela may not be the player that he used to be. He’s still highly effective. Meanwhile, he’s exactly the type of player that the Mavericks need. Adding Capela should help them on both sides of the floor.
Defensively, the benefits are obvious. Capela is a stout rim protector who can anchor this team’s defense. Meanwhile, promising rookie Derrick Lively III could benefit from his presence as well.
On the other hand, Capela has been finishing pick and rolls alongside elite playmakers for his entire career. He shouldn’t have a problem working with Luka Doncic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
This feels like a perfect marriage, and the Mavericks should part with a first-round pick to make it official.
Should the Raptors covet their pick?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The Raptors do this deal to rebuild. It’s that simple. This team needs to start over. They looked mediocre last year, and they look no different in 2023-24.
This feels like an appropriate return for Siakam. Some will say that the Raptors should seek more draft capital. Perhaps. They’re landing a protected first and an unprotected one here. In all likelihood, the Kings’ pick will convey. Yet, the Raptors aren’t strictly getting draft capital here, either.
The Raptors are landing some quality young players. AJ Griffin looks like an elite shooter who should be a key part of this young team’s core.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Hunter is another solid young 3-and-D wing for the Raptors to add to their collection. That’s key – after all, the Raptors would be putting themselves at the beginning of a rebuilding cycle here.
