Kofi Inkoom
Amidst the circulating trade speculations involving Toronto Raptors’ accomplished forward Pascal Siakam, the seasoned player becomes eligible for a contract extension.
Despite widespread rumors in the NBA community about Pascal Siakam’s potential departure from the Toronto Raptors, it’s important to note that he has never officially communicated a desire to be traded. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Siakam has not made any requests to leave the team.
While this statement doesn’t outright confirm Siakam’s commitment to staying in Toronto or invalidate reports suggesting he and former Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet were frustrated with the team’s younger players during the last season, it does indicate the possibility of a long-term association between Siakam and the Raptors.
Regarding this matter, Pascal Siakam is approaching the last season of a four-year agreement worth $136.9 million that he entered into with the Toronto Raptors back in 2020.
He qualifies to ink a maximum four-year contract extension valued at a minimum of $192 million, which corresponds to 30 percent of the NBA salary cap.
However, similar to Raptors’ President Masai Ujiri’s stance on not hastily trading the 29-year-old player, there’s no indication that he is actively pursuing a contract extension for Siakam either.
As stated by Charania, meaningful discussions regarding an extension have not taken place at this point.
Toronto finds itself in a situation of observation and patience, likely stemming from the presence of several skilled players whose synergy on the court was not as harmonious during the previous season.
Never forget when Pascal Siakam threw it down at the buzzer vs Sixers in 2019 pic.twitter.com/LUwmUmikDL
— Pascall-NBA Siakam (@SpinFadeSiakam) August 4, 2023
While no team openly shares internal issues, the buzz during the offseason suggests a potential disconnect among key players – VanVleet, Siakam, and 2022 Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes.
There’s a valid inquiry into Barnes’s work ethic, particularly due to his limited progress in his second season.
However, it’s worth considering the interplay of factors. Barnes’s developmental stagnation might be linked to the roles and usage of his experienced counterparts, who excel with ball control.
Examining Barnes’s youth, untapped potential, and contract situation provides insight into his potential influence on Siakam’s future with the Toronto Raptors.