The Sacramento Kings are a critical suitor for Toronto Raptors ahead Pascal Siakam, in response to a brand new report from NBA insider Shams Charania. The Raptors just lately traded OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, and may very well be trying to transfer one other key piece of their core in Siakam with the two-time All-Star within the last yr of his contract.
Replace Friday evening: In line with a brand new report from Shams, the Kings are pulling out of the Siakam talks:
The Sacramento Kings are deciding to tug out of the Pascal Siakam talks, sources say. Issues may be fluid, however Kings-Raptors talks at the moment are over. https://t.co/oQtwcbKtjF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 6, 2024
Siakam turns 30 years previous in April. He’s had a slight dip in manufacturing as he’s struggled to shoot from the skin (28.8 p.c from three-point vary on 3.7 makes an attempt per recreation) and Toronto has run extra actions by way of youthful teammate Scottie Barnes. He was an All-Star as just lately as final season, and was after all a key piece within the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship group. A 6’8, 230-pound ahead with a 7’3 wingspan, Siakam has had a repute as a powerful defender for years, although his defensive metrics have slipped a bit this season.
Right here’s the report from Charania:
It was reported earlier within the day that the Kings are making Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, and Davion Mitchell accessible in a commerce, in response to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports activities. These three gamers for Siakam works as a commerce salary-wise. The Kings additionally personal all of their future first spherical picks past 2024.
Siakam’s subsequent contract is maybe the largest piece of the pie. What’s it going to take to re-sign him? Will he nonetheless be value a near-max deal as he ages if he can’t enhance his bounce shot?
In Sacramento, Siakam would type a ‘huge three’ alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings are at the moment 20-13 general, and rank No. 13 in offense and No. 16 in protection. They’d be the No. 5 seed within the West if the season ended at present.
This deal might make sense for each side. What number of first spherical picks does Sacramento need to throw in? What kind of protections would they’ve? There’s a path to a commerce right here, nevertheless it must happen earlier than the NBA commerce deadline on Feb. 8.