Raptors not ready to trade Pascal Siakam

We’re officially one week away from the 2023 NBA trade deadline, and it looks like one team that could end up being very busy at the deadline is the Toronto Raptors. Almost everyone on the Raptors roster has had their name circulated in trade rumors recently, including star forward Pascal Siakam.

Siakam has only continued to improve for the Raptors this season (24.9 PPG, 8 RPG, 6.2 APG, 47 FG%), but that hasn’t led to much success in Toronto, as their 23-30 record currently puts them in 12th place. in the Eastern Conference currently. Some teams have been hunkering around Siakam, wondering if he’ll be available as the Raptors consider a rebuild, but it looks like his trade status has received a firm update as the deadline approaches.

“All of this explains why Anunoby has been highlighted in trade talks – the Raptors are not expected to be ready to leave Siakam just yet and, in Anunoby’s case, the sixth-year wing hits all the right notes as a top player at a top position, on a good contract, with some tenure remaining (Anunoby won’t reach free agency until summer 2024) which could be an instant fit on any team with hopes of making a deep push in the playoffs.” –Michael Grange, Sportsnet

There’s certainly been a lot of talk surrounding a trade for OG Anunoby, and it looks like we finally know why. While there have been rumors that Siakam could be dealt with, that seems like something the Raptors just aren’t entertaining right now, in part because they’re focused on moving Anunoby. So while Toronto could still be very busy, Siakam looks set to stay put, and teams that were planning on chasing him will have to look elsewhere.