The 2023 NBA offseason has kicked off with the NBA Draft and trades are already swirling around the league.
The Raptors are one team that is lurking in the shadows as the franchise is currently stuck in the middle tier of the Eastern Conference and has plenty of desirable assets that contenders would want.
Will Toronto run it back or will it finally hit the reset button and look toward the future? That is what teams around the league are wondering about, but a report on the day of the draft has deterred a potential deal for one of the Raptors’ most enticing trade pieces.
MORE: Everything you need to know about the Raptors ahead of the draft
According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, “there is a growing sentiment” that All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, who is on an expiring deal at the end of the 2023-24 season, “would not re-sign with a team who attempts to trade for him as his preference is to remain with the Raptors.”
There’s growing sentiment Toronto star Pascal Siakam — who’s on an expiring deal — would not re-sign with a team who attempts to trade for him as his preference is to remain with the Raptors, sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 22, 2023
If Siakam is unwilling to commit to a different franchise long-term, that would surely make any deals difficult for Toronto.
Siakam is a homegrown talent for the Raptors. The New Mexico State product was selected by Toronto with the 27th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was a developmental project who has turned into a diamond in the rough, going from relatively unknown, to Most Improved Player of the Year and an NBA champion in 2018-19, to a two-time All-Star and All-NBA player.
MORE: Why Gary Trent Jr. opted in with the Raptors instead of hitting free agency
Siakam has always talked about the love that he has for the city of Toronto, so it should not come as a surprise that he wishes to remain there beyond his current contract. But to be clear: just because he wishes to remain in Toronto does not mean the Raptors’ front office will not do what they believe is best for the future of the franchise.
Entering the final year of the four-year, $136.9 million extension he signed in 2019, it sounds like the 29-year-old forward would entertain the idea of re-signing with the Raptors when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Pascal Siakam contract details
According to Spotrac, Siakam has one year and $37.9 million remaining on his current contract.
At the conclusion of this deal, Siakam will have a total of $143.2 million in career earnings.
| Year | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $37.9 million |
| 2024 | UFA |
UFA = unrestricted free agent
