For long, NBA fans wondered what the Toronto Raptors were planning. This team appeared to be stuck on the league’s mediocrity treadmill.
Meanwhile, the Raptors had several valuable trade chips on their roster. Now, their plan seems a little clearer. The Raptors sent OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks.
Their rebuild is officially underway. The widespread assumption is that they’ll follow up by trading Pascal Siakam.
What are the Philadelphia 76ers planning? It’s unclear. This team traded James Harden for assets. They could use some of those assets to trade for a valuable role player or two or invest all of them in a star.
Could that star be Pascal Siakam?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors receive: F/C Marcus Morris Sr., F Robert Covington, F Nicolas Batum, 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2028 First-Round Pick (LAC via PHI), 2029 First-Round Pick (PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
It’s worth noting the return that the Raptors received for Anunoby. It’s interesting. For a while, it was rumored that they declined three unprotected firsts in exchange for him.
If that’s true, from a pure value perspective, the Raptors took a loss by flipping him for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
The front office may not see it that way. Scottie Barnes is in his third year. He looks like a player who will be ready to lead a playoff charge soon. Perhaps the Raptors didn’t want draft capital. They may have wanted young players who could help them win now.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In that event, they won’t like this deal. They’re receiving three veterans on expiring contracts and draft capital. Should they accept this return?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
The Raptors may favor young, productive players over picks. That’s fair. At the same time, they have to get value for Siakam. Here, they’re doing so by landing three unprotected first-round picks.
That doesn’t mean they have to commit to years at the bottom of the standings. These are distant picks. The Raptors could use them to broker trades before they even convey. That’s the value of assets – you can use them to improve their roster.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Meanwhile, these expiring contracts are valuable as well. The Raptors would have a lot of cap space next summer if they made this deal – that’s another avenue toward improvement.
Should the Sixers give Toronto so many options?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
We like the fit for Siakam in Philadelphia. Granted, it’s not perfect. Siakam is an inconsistent shooter, and so is Joel Embiid. Would the Sixers have enough spacing?
We think so. Those two stars may be inconsistent, but they’re both floor spacers. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris is typically a knockdown shooter, and Tyrese Maxey is, too. The Sixers won’t be one of the league’s best shooting teams after this deal, but they’ll be solid.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Meanwhile, in terms of pure talent, they’ll be elite. Embiid, Maxey, and Siakam would be one of the most talented trios in the NBA. That would give the Sixers a real chance at winning the NBA championship. That sounds like a solid plan to us.
