The Toronto Raptors have consistently failed to trade two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam, but could the Atlanta Hawks give them food for thought?
Atlanta had trade talks with Toronto over Siakam during the NBA Summer League, The Athletic reported Tuesday. The report said the Hawks were the “strongest contender” and offered the Raptors forwards De’Andre Hunter and AJ Griffin, as well as draft compensation for Siakam.
The Athletic points out that the Raptors are still opposed to a trade with the local big man, and Siakam has expressed he would not sign a contract with a new team in a trade, although Toronto and Siakam are yet to sign a contract extension have come close.
The 29-year-old Siakam is entering the final season of a four-year, $136.9 million contract and is averaging a career-best 24.2 points per game while also averaging 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists and a shooting average of 48.0/32.4/77.4.
Toronto has recently lost several reliable starters and/or star players to free hands, including Kawhi Leonard (2019), Kyle Lowry (2021), and Fred VanVleet (2023). Meanwhile, forward OG Anunoby has a player option in his contract for the 2024-25 season, making him a potential unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 season.
On the other hand, Hunter has had a season where he also averaged his career points (15.4), while Griffin had a 39.0% batting average behind the archway in his rookie season. Hunter (No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA draft) and Griffin (No. 16 pick in the 2022 NBA draft) are each former first-round picks for the Hawks.
If Atlanta used several first years to acquire Siakam, it would result in a further reduction in projected capital. The Hawks sent three first-round draft picks (two unprotected, one protected) to the San Antonio Spurs in a trade to acquire Dejounte Murray last summer.
The Raptors were knocked out 9-10 in last season’s NBA play-in tournament game, while the Hawks lost in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs as the No. 7 in six games to the Boston Celtics.
Atlanta Hawks
Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam
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