The Toronto Raptors made a blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks which shook up the franchise.
They traded O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick (via Detroit).
Since the Raptors traded Anunoby, Siakam could be next. He is as unrestricted free agent next summer.
However, if the Raptors do trade Siakam before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, the team that acquires him shouldn’t expect to sign him to an extension before the end of the 2023-24 season.
Any team that acquires Siakam now will only be eligible to offer him a two-year extension. But Siakam “would prefer, again, to proceed to unrestricted free agency…meaning that any team that trades for him now must be daring enough to roll those dice,” according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Stein reports that the list of potential Siakam suitors continues to grow. He says the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies could enter the mix alongside the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings.
It’s not surprising that Siakam wouldn’t be open to signing just a two-year deal if the Raptors trade him before the deadline.
Siakam is eligible to sign a four-year $202.3 million extension. He will be eligible for a five-year supermax deal worth around $304 million if he makes the All-NBA team this year.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors are expected to continue to explore trades involving Siakam but there are no deals with traction now.
If Siakam is unwilling to sign a two-year extension, it will be tough for Toronto to find a team that will trade for him since he could wind up being a rental player.
This adds a layer of difficulty for the Raptors.
Hawks, Pacers & Mavericks most likely teams to pursue Siakam
According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks are the most likely teams that will pursue Siakam before the deadline.
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