According to NBA insider Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Sacramento Kings would still trade for Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam even without the assurance that he would re-sign with them.
Siakam becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer and the two-time All-Star doesn’t plan to re-sign with any team that trades for him.
The Kings, who are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, are looking to trade Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter.
“My understanding is that the Kings would still trade for Siakam even without the assurance that he’d re-sign, but his lack of commitment certainly changes the assets they’d be willing to give up alongside Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter,” O’Connor wrote. “Odds are, the Kings would get outbid by a team that’s more optimistic that Siakam would stick around past this season. Whether it’s Siakam or someone else, Sacramento’s goal is to turn Barnes, Huerter, and Davion Mitchell into upgrades to bolster the team’s odds of making a deep playoff run this season.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Siakam doesn’t want to be traded to the Kings. The NBA champion doesn’t view Sacramento as a good long-term fit.
Siakam is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 52.2% from the floor, 31.7% from 3 and 75.8% from the free-throw line. He is making $37.9 million.
The Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks are interested in acquiring Siakam, who won the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. The 29-year-old swingman has career averages of 17.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings Updates
The NBA trade deadline is on February 8. The entire basketball world is waiting to see what happens with Siakam.
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