Raptors Turn Down Deal Involving Pascal Siakam Trade
Atlanta Hawks fail to secure All-Star power forward Pascal Siakam in a potential deal with Toronto Raptors. To potentially acquire Siakam before the season starts, Hawks need to improve their trade offer. This opens the door for Indiana Pacers to make a better offer.
During his seventh season with Raptors, Siakam had a career-high average of 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 48% from the floor and 32.4% from 3-point range. He missed the beginning of the season due to an abductor strain but played 71 games afterwards. With multiple teams after a dynamic two-way All-Star like Siakam, they pulled back after he stated he wouldn't sign an extension with the team involved in the trade. Siakam is considering exploring free agency during the 2023-24 season.
Both Hawks and Pacers are still favorites to get Siakam through a trade.
North of the Border's Hero
New Mexico State is not a renowned college basketball team, but its fans in Las Cruces are proud to have Siakam representing them in the NBA. Raptors chose Siakam with a late first-round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Siakam surprisingly found his form after two uneventful seasons in the league, earning a starter position under now-former head coach Nick Nurse in his third season.
Since becoming a starter, Siakam made two NBA All-Star appearances, earned 2019 Most Improved Player and helped the Raptors win a championship during the 2018-19 season.
Siakam is eligible for a maximum contract extension worth $192 million over four years. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the Raptors haven't held significant discussions on an extension, implying a trade is more likely.
Raptors missed selling star guard Fred VanVleet before his contract expired, leading to a missed opportunity at securing valuable players or draft capital. To avoid repeating that mistake with Siakam, Raptors are open to trading him.
Hawks Sale Options De'Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin, More Picks
The Hawks offered Raptors starting small forward De'Andre Hunter, backup forward A.J. Griffin, and multiple draft picks in an attempt to attain Siakam. Raptors initially declined this trade proposition.
Hunter was the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft from Virginia. In the 2021-22 season, he made 67 starts, recording a career-best 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game with a 35% 3-point shooting accuracy.
The Raptors opted for Duke's Griffin with the #16 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. In his debut season, he started 12 contests, ending the season with 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, all while making 39% of his 3-point attempts.
After the Raptors dismissed the Hawks' initial offer, they might need to include a third party, like the Dallas Mavericks, to bring the Siakam trade to fruition.
Futures Market for Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors
The Hawks are +7500 for winning the 2023-24 NBA Championship and +2500 to secure the Eastern Conference, entering their first full season under Quin Snyder.
In Southeast Division futures, Hawks are the favorites to win the division at +215, while the Miami Heat are the front-runners at -185.
The Hawks are predicted to win 42.5 games in the upcoming season, according to DraftKings. They finished 41-41 last season, earning the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. Boston Celtics eliminated them in the first round.
The longshot Raptors have +10000 odds to win the NBA Championship under Darko Rajakovic's command. Nurse won a championship with Raptors in the 2018-19 season but resigned after five seasons.
Raptors are +5500 odds to clinch the Eastern Conference and +3500 chances in winning the Atlantic Division.
Raptors are projected to have a losing season with a 36.5 win total o/u.
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