Bombshell Rumor: Raptors Have Decided On Pascal Siakam Future

Ever since the trade of OG Anunoby last week, all the talk around the Toronto Raptors has turned to what the future holds for All-Star Pascal Siakam. Does Masai Ujiri continue the tear-down and trade their only remaining main NBA championship piece? Or does he try to re-sign him in free agency this summer?

According to ESPN NBA Insider Tim Bontemps, it appears that Masai has decided which way to go:

The Toronto Raptors are expected to trade Pascal Siakam before the trade deadline, per @TimBontemps

“League sources expect Toronto to move on from two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam before the trade deadline.”

(Via https://t.co/MwuZFnehXc) pic.twitter.com/D7mlNsXaOS
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2024

“League sources expect Toronto to move on from two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam before the trade deadline,” writes Bontemps.

With that, we have to look at four serious suitors that have constantly been tied to Siakam this season:

Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers
Sacramento Kings
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons

If we consider the direction the Raptors took in the Anunoby trade—that is, going for young, proven talent rather than a slew of draft picks in future years—the Pacers would seem to have a potential edge, as they do have plenty of young pieces already on their NBA roster.

If the Hawks were willing to consider parting with breakthrough talent Jalen Johnson, 22, then they would leap to the front of the discussions, but that seems highly unlikely.

Likewise, Keegan Murray would be a primary target for the Raptors off the Kings roster, but Sacramento is said to have no intentions of moving their young rising star. They are, however, being called a "serious suitor".

In Dallas, the reported package that's been discussed, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green and draft picks, doesn't sound like it would be enough to get a deal done.

The Pistons seem like an unlikely candidate, but insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the team would love to add some established veterans stars to rampup their process back to respectability.

Looks like the Raptors will continue to be a key team to be watched as we head down the stretch, with just one month to go before the Feb. 8th trade deadline.

Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports