With the NBA commerce deadline roughly a month away, rumors about who shall be moved are solely rising extra intense. (Or at the very least the posts on X, formally often known as Twitter, are.) Seemingly on the high of the listing of gamers being bandied about in such rumors is Pascal Siakam, the star Toronto Raptors ahead who appears to be on his manner out of city—notably after the Raptors signaled a rebuild of kinds with the O.G. Anunoby commerce. With a bunch of contenders and playoff hopefuls within the combine for Siakam, right here’s a rating of potential touchdown spots by way of the place can be essentially the most enjoyable.
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Honorable Point out: Memphis Grizzlies
Whereas I’m unsure the Grizz want to make a serious transfer within the wake of Ja Morant’s season-ending shoulder damage, it could be cool in the event that they remained aggressive. The issue is Siakam’s deal is expiring, and if he doesn’t wish to re-sign in Memphis, then he and Morant won’t ever play a second collectively.
5. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are below .500 and virtually actually have to make a transfer. Siakam wouldn’t excite me as a lot right here in comparison with elsewhere. Is there sufficient spacing in case you play him and Jalen Johnson on the wing collectively? Would Johnson exit within the commerce? Would Toronto wish to pair Dejounte Murray with Immanuel Quickley if Murray couldn’t make it work with Trae Younger? Younger has been actually good this season, and the Hawks must be higher than the place they’re. Siakam actually wouldn’t be a nasty match. However I’m unsure he strikes the needle fairly sufficient for a staff in eleventh place.
4. Indiana Pacers
Siakam working and gunning with Tyrese Haliburton can be fairly a little bit of enjoyable. Whereas his exterior capturing is probably not the cleanest match as a part of the Pacers’ bombs-away assault, Siakam’s veteran steadiness would add a dose of maturity to Indiana, and his protection can be extremely welcome. What provides me slight pause right here is I nonetheless don’t take the Pacers severely sufficient as a postseason menace, and I wish to see Siakam play in significant video games. That’s not saying Indy shouldn’t make the commerce, solely that there are extra enjoyable choices on the board.
3. Sacramento Kings
Now we’re getting someplace. The Kings have flown below the radar this season after their feel-good run final yr. They obtained bounced within the first spherical due to an all-time Stephen Curry efficiency, however in any other case seemed like a staff able to compete with the large boys. In a super world, Sacramento might purchase Siakam with out giving up Keegan Murray. A core of Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Siakam and Domantas Sabonis can be very aggressive. Would it not be sufficient for Siakam to remain long run? Maybe not. I do suppose it could be the type of commerce that might transfer the Kings up a tier within the West, although. And it could make Sacramento a really harmful playoff opponent.
2. Golden State Warriors
I principally simply hate watching Steph exit like this. I’m not going to faux Siakam fixes all the issues in Golden State. The staff in all probability wants an exorcist for that at this level. However Curry is just too good to have his late prime wasted on a roster that will not even make the playoffs. Siakam at the very least provides the Dubs the faintest of hopes of being a contender once more. The world is a greater place when Curry’s magic is happening on significant phases. Siakam touchdown in San Francisco would give us an opportunity, nevertheless small, of experiencing one other thrilling Dubs run.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
I don’t know whether or not the Thunder are a participant in any respect within the Siakam sweepstakes, not to mention a severe one. I do suppose they may win a title with him. Oklahoma Metropolis is absolutely good. Like, actually good. A participant with Siakam’s playoff expertise would throw gasoline on a hearth already threatening to get uncontrolled. At the same time as a rental, I’d love for the Thunder to take a bet right here. OKC of all organizations ought to know the way fickle title home windows will be. Add Siakam to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and the Thunder grow to be an extremely troublesome two-way problem for each staff within the West. Whereas I’m not one of many individuals banging on the desk for OKC to make a splashy transfer, the Thunder might undoubtedly stand to profit from including somebody of Siakam’s caliber. And watching a younger, hungry, up-and-coming staff attempt to upset the order of the West can be nice drama.