NBA Rumors: Pascal Siakam May Receive Raptors Contract Offer ...
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Despite getting an early start on trade season, the Toronto Raptors aren't necessarily in a hurry to sell off all of their key veterans before Feb. 8.
Per Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca, one person said they "wouldn't be surprised" if the Raptors offer Pascal Siakam a contract extension even though it's been assumed he will be dealt after OG Anunoby was traded to the New York Knicks.
The Anunoby trade is fascinating because it could signal multiple things about what the Raptors want to do.
Rather than prioritize draft assets, the Raptors' primary returns in the deal were RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. They did get a 2024 second-round draft pick that belongs to the Detroit Pistons, which could end up being No. 31 overall.
That's not necessarily the type of trade to signal the Raptors want to wave the white flag this season. Barrett and Quickley are long-term plays because of their ages. Barrett is also signed to a long-term contract that runs through 2026-27.
Quickley can sign a long-term deal after this season, though he can become a restricted free agent if a contract doesn't get worked out with the Raptors.
Anunoby isn't an old player at 26, but Quickley (24) and Barrett (23) are younger than him. They will likely cost less than him by the time Anunoby ends up signing his next deal, which could be as soon as this summer if he opts out of his $19.9 million salary for next season.
Siakam is set to become a free agent this summer. The two-time All-Star has spent his entire career in Toronto since being selected with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He's averaging more than 20 points per game for the fifth consecutive season.
The 29-year-old is shooting 52.1 percent from the field, along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game in 34 starts this season.
Toronto is currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 14-20 record. The team is on pace to miss the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons.
