2. Pascal Siakam
Siakam is entering the final year of his contract and made his desire to stay in Toronto clear. Still, there have been more trade rumors than extension rumblings. The Raptors just lost Fred VanVleet in free agency and cannot afford to let Siakam hit the open market next summer. Toronto needs to extend him or trade him before February’s deadline.
The Hawks have already made an offer, and the two-time All-Star could be the marquee name available at the deadline. It will be interesting to see how much the Raptors can get for his expiring contract, especially if the 6’9 forward remains unwilling to sign a long-term deal with the team that acquires him.
The Sixers want another star to play opposite Joel Embiid, and Siakam certainly qualifies. New head coach Nick Nurse was with him in Toronto and knows how to get the best out of the 6’9 forward. Philadelphia could run plenty of pick and rolls with their two big men and would quickly become one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
Will the Philadelphia 76ers have enough to acquire Pascal Siakam? They would likely need to get some draft capital for James Harden and flip it for the two-time All-Star. It would be a bold move, but one that could help the Sixers stay in contention.