Pascal Siakam has been the subject of trade rumors following the Raptors‘ disappointing season, but the fifth-year forward isn’t looking to be moved, agent Todd Ramasar said in an NBC Sports podcast.
“That’s the last thing on his mind,” Ramasar said. “… He loves it there. Yes. He won a championship. … That’s never come from us that there’s a change … Because of the pandemic, because the Raptors missed the playoffs, there’s been a lot of speculation around (about a trade), but it’s not because of Pascal or anything he’s said. Or even the organization. I think that’s just the chatter that picks up going into an offseason.”
Ramasar’s statement meshes with a report last week that Toronto isn’t trying to trade Siakam during this offseason. He’s under contract for $106MM over the next three seasons, so there’s no urgency to make a move, even if the team decides he’s not in its long-term future.
Several teams called this summer to see if Siakam is available, sources tell NBC Sports, and the Kings, Warriors and Clippers have been mentioned among those who expressed interest.
Siakam’s performance declined last season, which led to speculation that he might be on the trade market. Although he averaged 21.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 56 games, those numbers were down slightly from the 2019/20 season and his efficiency dipped as well. The Raptors’ decision to draft Scottie Barnes with the No. 4 pick fueled rumors that Siakam might be headed elsewhere.
However, there were factors that contributed to Siakam’s decline. He was among several players who contracted COVID-19 midway through the year, and he suffered a shoulder injury late in the season that forced him to have surgery.
Siakam is currently rehabbing from that operation and Ramasar expects him to reach an All-Star level again. Also, his agent wants to remove any distractions that trade rumors might be causing.
“First of all, it’s about understanding when it is purely speculation as opposed to there being some substance to that, right? Is there traction to those rumors?” Ramasar said. “It starts with having good communication and a great relationship with the team and management, and communication. And it’s understanding that, because this is a business, at any point you can be traded… But in this situation, knowing that it was more so speculation than anything else, it’s having those conversations with the client. It’s also the team reassuring the player, in this case Pascal, and then you move forward and stay in control of the things you have control over.”
Damage control from the Siakam camp. Raptors drafted Barnes for a reason. A trade is eventually going to happen.
Don’t think this year at least
Teams are very hesitant on trading for a player who is coming off a very serious injury. Raptor also know his trade value is very low right now so they will hope for a full recovery to get his trade value up. Just good PR to the fans of the Raptors.
Toronto has a nice squad. They’re gonna be right around 45 Ws & Pascal is gonna have a chance to step up against somebody in the playoffs & remind people how great he is. That being said if someone like Sacramento offers Toronto an arm (Bagley) & a leg (Buddy plus an uprotected 1st) for him they have to consider it
I don’t think he’s going to be traded because now his value seemingly has dropped. It’s weird that AFTER the draft that players aren’t quite as hot. 106 million dollars for 3 years is also difficult to move and not many guys with the caliber of Pascal siakam are available to come back to Toronto.
I agree with you posters here. He’s not going to be moved for now.
Besides, from the Warriors point of view I’d rather keep Jonathan cumminga and Moses Moody which would have to be included I assume with Andrew Wiggins to bring Pascal siakam. If I’m the Warriors I wouldn’t do it after watching them. Would Pascal siakam help the Warriors now versus the two rookies? Of course. But I wouldn’t make that trade now that the pics have been made. Now it’s basically a Andrew Wiggins plus a first-round pick and maybe another young guy and that’s it.
Siakam’s shoulder injury was very serious and he is out for the first 2 months of the season. That would be a huge gamble for the warriors. Who knows if he will be 100% this year. Never sounded like the warriors offered that much more than a draft pick and Wiggins for Siakam.
Bottom line is everybody has to wait til mid season – Siakam, Lilliard, Simmons, Beal, Hield.
Yes.., especially on Damian Lillard. Portland has done nothing and they’ll be right around .500 in the tough Western Conference around the deadline and he’ll want out.
Dallas should trade KP for Siakam
Unfortunately not Nance & Markkanen, they gotta pack.
So many lovely words & thoughts expressed by the agent, just to say: Not this offseason anyway.