Grade the Trade: Kings proposal gets Raptors haul for Pascal Siakam
The Toronto Raptors may start up the Pascal Siakam trade talk once again, as it is becoming quite clear that Darko Rajakovic is struggling to reconcile Siakam’s need for offensive responsibility with Scottie Barnes’ ascension to eventually becoming a franchise player the team can build around.
Toronto had previously hinted through various leaks that Siakam trade talks will not start up again until the middle of the season, but Masai Ujiri might do well to consider making a move. As the James Harden trade shows, the market is inflated that even impending free agents can get a massive haul in return.
The Sacramento Kings appear to be an ideal trade partner for the Raptors. They have a need for a player like Siakam, want one more star to set themselves apart in a deep Western Conference, and have been willing to give up some incredibly valuable assets in their pursuit of a winner under Monte McNair.
Sacramento has some draft picks to surrender, along with some quality veteran contracts for salary ballast and some intriguing young players that can help the Raptors finally build a bench around Barnes. If Ujiri can pull off this deal, look for Toronto to finally gain some much-needed clarity about their roster.
Siakam, the dominant Domantas Sabonis, and De’Aaron Fox would be an amazing three-headed hydra that can make one of the best offenses in Sacramento even more lethal. With enough flexibility to give him a big contract, Siakam would give a young team some defensive improvements and championship experience.
As for Toronto, adding a veteran forward like Barnes would allow them to replace Siakam in the starting lineup with a quality shooter that adds size. Monk is the type of lethal athletic shooter fans have been begging the Raptors to acquire in the name of beefing up the bench.
Mitchell might be one player Ujiri insists on acquiring. With tremendous defensive ability being limited by a lack of a clear pathway to a starting role, adding Mitchell as a seventh man off the bench who instantly seizes the backup point guard role from Malachi Flynn will likely be very appealing to Ujiri and Rajakovic.
Trading Siakam will be tough to see, but if the Raptors can get a bench worth a damn behind Barnes while also restocking their draft cupboards and freeing themselves of the obligation to pay Siakam, they can more effectively transition to a Barnes-led era that gets the most out of their prized investment.
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