According to NBA insider Michael Grange of Sportsnet, Pascal Siakam was “bewildered and heartbroken” when the Toronto Raptors almost traded him last summer.
The Raptors traded Siakam to the Indiana Pacers today for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks. Siakam becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
“Regardless, by the time NBA Summer League rolled around, it was clear from various league sources Toronto was exploring trade opportunities, making the situation awkward enough that Siakam chose not to come to Las Vegas and train along with most of the Raptors’ other returning veterans and meet the incoming rookies,” Grange wrote. “Those close to him say he was both bewildered and heartbroken, to varying degrees, by the turn of events.”
If Siakam stayed with the Raptors and made one of the three All-NBA teams this season, he would have been eligible for a supermax extension. However, according to Grange, Toronto didn’t plan to pay Siakam the supermax.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors Updates
A two-time All-Star, 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 field, 31.7% from beyond the arc and 75.8% from the free-throw line. He’s making $37.9 million.
Siakam is one of the best players in Raptors history. He finished his Toronto career with averages of 17.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks in 510 games. The forward helped the Raptors win the 2019 championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors Updates
Siakam is fifth in Raptors history in games, fifth in minutes, fifth in field goals, eighth in 3-point field goals, fifth in free throws, sixth in offensive rebounds, third in defensive rebounds, third in total rebounds, fifth in assists, 10th in steals, ninth in blocks, fifth in points, second in triple-doubles, sixth in points per game, ninth in player efficiency rating, seventh in offensive win shares, second in defensive win shares, fifth in win shares and fourth in value over replacement player.
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