The 2023-24 NBA season is a big one for the Toronto Raptors. We won’t mince words here – there’s a lot riding on this year for Toronto.
Pascal Siakam is due for a new contract soon, and so is OG Anunoby. If the Raptors don’t get off to a good start, they may have to make a major trade as the deadline approaches.
The entire NBA world knows it. The Raptors are among the most scrutinized teams in the league. They’ve been a fixture in trade rumors for the better part of a year now. This organization is likely hoping that an offseason coaching change will improve their performance. What if it doesn’t?
Well, trading Siakam would seem like the logical move. He’s functionally similar to Scottie Barnes, who is likely the future of this organization. Anunoby is more of a complement to Barnes.
If the Raptors see it the same way, could they send Siakam to the Charlotte Hornets?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors receive: F Gordon Hayward, F/C P.J. Washington, 2026 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2028 First-Round Pick (CHA), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – CHA)
Charlotte Hornets receive: F/C Pascal Siakam, F/C Chris Boucher
On the other hand, this is a significant enough season for the Hornets as well. It hasn’t gotten off to an ideal start. Miles Bridges will be serving a suspension for the first ten games of the season. Meanwhile, the Hornets were forced to waive recent first-round pick Kai Jones.
This is not a good start. If the Hornets have a disappointing season, it could have grave consequences. LaMelo Ball has found his way into trade rumors in the past. It’s been suggested that he’s growing tired of mediocrity in Charlotte. This team needs to take a step forward in 2023-24.
They may be able to do exactly that. For all of the problems this team has been dealing with, let’s be clear: there’s a lot of talent on this roster.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Hornets selected Brandon Miller with the second overall pick in the draft this summer. He should be a perfect complement to Ball. Does Siakam accomplish that in a potential duo?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
Absolutely. Siakam would completely change this team on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, he’d be an elite secondary playmaker alongside Ball. The Hornets would have a much more dynamic offense following this deal.
They’d have a better defense as well. Pairing Siakam with Mark Williams should give the Hornets a strong interior defense. Meanwhile, Siakam spaces the floor well enough to function within this offense. There’s no question as to whether acquiring Siakam makes the Hornets a better team. The only question is whether he’s worth this cost to them.
We think he is. The Hornets don’t easily come by players of Siakam’s caliber. They struggle to attract marquee talent. So, trading for stars makes sense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets Updates
If this deal gets Charlotte back in the playoffs, they’ll live without Washington and this amount of draft capital. Should that be enough for the Raptors to part with Siakam?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
It’s fair to say that the Raptors could potentially get more draft capital elsewhere. Sure. In all likelihood, they’d have to take on some bad money in order to do it. Here, the Raptors are freeing up cap space. Hayward is on an expiring contract.
That’s key if they want to keep Anunoby. Suddenly, doing so would go from extremely complicated to exceedingly simple. With that said, Hayward’s deal is perhaps the smallest aspect of this trade for Toronto.
More than anything, they’re interested in bringing in two first-round picks and a future swap. They should be interested in adding Washington as well. He’s a young, useful combo big who can space the floor and defend across positions.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets Updates
He could be a critical part of their rebuild – if they’re rebuilding at all, that is. We should know more about the Raptors’ direction as the season wears on.
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