The Toronto Raptors held their own against a shorthanded Boston Celtics tonight. But more than the matchup, one player in the Raptors has garnered much attention lately. Pascal Siakam, the Cameroonian forward-center, has been at the forefront of trade speculations.

With the NBA trade deadline getting closer, they have only become more intense. With many takers for the 2x All-Star, there has been, however, one team that has particularly stood out. And that’s none other than Toronto’s Eastern Conference rival, Atlanta Hawks. Looking to stabilize their frontcourt depth, Siakam’s arrival would be the perfect solution.

With the Hawks having been in trade talks for a long time, if a deal does go through, they will have to put quite a bit on the table for the Raptors to bite. As of now, a deal with Toronto could mean that Atlanta will have to put Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, or De’Andre Hunter and then a few draft picks. Looking to build around Trae Young, the eight-year veteran’s presence will fill the many gaps that are apparent now.

But is trading Siakam really what would be the best choice?

Is trading Pascal Siakam the right move for the Raptors?

One thing is for sure – the Raptors aren’t going to simply let Siakam walk away. With him entering unrestricted free agency next summer, for Toronto to extend him could be risky. Pascal is eligible for a four-year $192 million extension as well. Since there hasn’t been any decision reached regarding the same, it’s safe to assume that the Raptors are looking for an extension similar to the three-year deal they offered at the start of the 2022-23 season.

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Which he promptly rejected. Having spent the entirety of his NBA career with the same franchise, Siakam has proved his worth on many occasions. If both parties could have reached an agreement, it would have provided the Raptors with an All-Star caliber player under their wings. It would also provide them with the flexibility of trading him come summer.

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But since no extension has been reached (as of yet), trading him before the 30th would give the acquiring team some leeway. Namely, it would provide them ample time to come to an agreement using his Bird Rights, before hitting unrestricted free agency.

If the Raptors are unable to reach an agreement for a possible trade, they can still sign him for an extension. But at a big risk; the franchise will not be able to trade him until after six months. It complicates any and every plan they have for draft day and free agency.

So you see, the Pascal Siakam trade is not just another simple trade. This season is also going to be one of those wild deadline trades. Stay tuned!

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