Being the general manager of an NBA team is about finding balance. You’ve got conflicting priorities, and you need to decide which are most important. No matter what you decide, in all likelihood, somebody is going to disagree with your decision.
Suppose you’re a good team that’s looking to get better. You could sink your assets into a win-now piece. Some fans will praise that decision. Others will say that trading those assets was shortsighted.
Inversely, some mediocre teams would do well to rebuild. Some fans will disagree – they’d rather stay competitive. Could the Toronto Raptors disregard those fans by trading Pascal Siakam?
Could the Sacramento Kings go all-in despite losing their assets by making a move for him?
NBA Trade Proposal: Sacramento Kings Land Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors Receive: F Harrison Barnes, F/C Trey Lyles, F Keegan Murray, G Davion Mitchell, 2026 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
Do fans know what’s best? We wouldn’t go that far. Fans tend to be emotional. They may not be thinking about the long-term – or they may not be thinking about the money.
Do general managers know what’s best? That would be a reach as well. We’ve seen teams make egregious mistakes in the past. At times, they’ve felt obvious. Moreover, general managers don’t always have pure motives, either.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
They may be thinking about the money. Alternatively, they could be thinking about their jobs. In the end, making decisions for an NBA franchise isn’t easy for anybody.
Should the Kings decide to acquire Siakam?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Why not? The Kings are good. This team is on the cusp of greatness. With that said, they’re a piece away. This team has an outstanding offense and a weak defense.
Siakam could help with that. He’s one of the best two-way wings in the NBA. Moreover, Siakam gives Sacramento another playmaker. He’s also a solid enough shooter to play alongside Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
Is this a hefty price to pay? You bet. Siakam is worth it. The Kings will miss Murray, but adding Siakam could get them in the title picture.
Should the Raptors help them get there?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The Raptors need to trade Siakam. That’s old news. This team is wasting away in the middle, and moving Siakam helps them pick a direction.
In all likelihood, they could get more draft capital elsewhere. If that’s a sticking point for the Raptors, that’s understandable.
In all likelihood, they could land three or even four first-rounders for Siakam from another team. With that said, they won’t be able to land exciting young players like Murray and Mitchell in the process. They both happen to be perfect fits alongside Scottie Barnes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
Murray is an especially enticing target. Pairing Barnes with a knockdown shooter like him could provide the Raptors with a foundation for the future. That sounds like a good decision to us.
