Pascal Siakam’s future with the Toronto Raptors is uncertain at this point.
Siakam’s name was in many trade rumors during the offseason.
As the summer moved along, the trade rumors cooled down and now Siakam is getting ready for his eight NBA season.
Pascal Siakam took the podium at Raptors Media Day.
After Raptors president Masai Ujiri spoke about the Raptors playing “selfish” last season, Siakam quickly denied that he’s a selfish player:
“I’ve never been a selfish player in my live …. ever since I started playing basketball … I don’t have an ounce of selfishness in me,” — Siakam on Raptors culture reset and notion of selfishness.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) October 2, 2023
Siakam also weighed in on his future in Toronto. “I’m under contract. I’m a Raptors player. That’s what I’m focused on. I’m focused on the present,” he said.
He was then asked if he was open to signing an extension with the Raptors. “I just want to be a part of something awesome. I want to win games and have fun. That’s all I care about right now,” he said.
“I’ll leave those type of questions to the people who represent me. That’s why I pay them,” Siakam added.
Siakam didn’t endorse the idea of staying with the Raptors. Like Toronto, it seems like Siakam is keeping his options open.
Siakam averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists across 71 games for the Raptors in 2022-23. With the Raptors direction still unclear, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with Siakam as the Raptors get closer to the trade deadline.
Raptors can’t lose Siakam for nothing
No matter what happens with Siakam moving forward, the Raptors have to avoid losing him for nothing at all costs. The Raptors just lost one All-Star in Fred VanVleet for nothing and it would be a disaster if they lost Siakam for nothing as well.
The Raptors need to decide whether or not they’re going to trade Siakam during the season or pay him whatever money he’s seeking after the season is over.
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