The NBA has never been as competitive as it is at this very moment. Take a look at the league’s standings. There are good teams with losing records. Last year’s Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes have come and gone. Now, the league is full of teams who want to win.
Here’s the reality: every team can’t win. That would be logically impossible. That’s problematic for a lot of teams, but it could present an opportunity.
A mediocre team could choose to rebuild now, and their competition at the bottom would be relatively slim. If they own their own draft picks, that is. Otherwise, a team has no incentive to lose. The Toronto Raptors are a good example of a team who could turn to the future.
By contrast, the Brooklyn Nets should be looking to improve since they owe their own picks to the Houston Rockets until 2028.
Could they trade for Pascal Siakam as a result?
NBA Trade Proposal: Brooklyn Nets Land Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie, F Dorian Finney-Smith, F/C Day’Ron Sharpe, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (Top 8 Protected – PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
That dynamic between the Nets and the Rockets is interesting. The Rockets had been in the Wembanyama race for years. This team tanked for three consecutive seasons leading up to the most recent draft.
Now, they owe their own picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a few years. So, the Rockets did what most teams would do – they stopped tanking.
Their own future is now out of their hands as far as the draft is concerned. The Rockets will be relying on the Nets to inject their roster with young talent moving forward.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors Updates
How should the Rockets expect the Nets to respond? In all likelihood, they’ll do the same thing. The Rockets improved their roster to minimize the chance of sending the Thunder a lottery pick.
Should the Nets avoid sending the Rockets a high pick by acquiring Siakam?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
NBA teams shouldn’t operate out of spite. The Nets will not make a selection with their own pick in the next draft. Whether it’s the 30th pick or the 1st pick, it’s going to the Rockets.
So, they should only make moves that are right for them – not wrong for Houston. This deal feels right for them. The Nets have a strong team full of quality secondary players.
With that said, they’re missing a primary playmaker. Ben Simmons has made progress this year, but the Nets can’t rely on him – he’s already hurt. Could they rely on Siakam?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors Updates
We think so. Siakam is a two-way wing who won’t compromise this team’s stout defense. He’s also a capable playmaker who ought to make the rest of the team better.
Should the Raptors part with such a valuable player?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Here, the Raptors are taking a page out of the Portland Trail Blazers’ book. Just as they acquired Jrue Holiday with the intention of moving him, they’re picking up Dorian Finney-Smith. The Raptors should be able to get some additional assets for the talented 3-and-D wing.
Meanwhile, they’re getting assets here as well. Two of these first-round picks are unprotected. The Sixers pick is lightly protected, but as of now, it’s likely to convey. It’s also entirely possible that the Raptors will look to move it before 2027 anyway.
After all, this team isn’t so far from being competitive. By 2027, Scottie Barnes should be the type of player who can lead them to the playoffs. That’s a major part of why the Raptors would move Siakam.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors Updates
He’s redundant with their most important player. He’s also due for an extension soon, and with Barnes’ emerge, the Raptors shouldn’t be eager to hand it to him. This deal may make them less competitive now, but it should help them later.
