The Toronto Raptors have already started their roster overhaul.
With OG Anunoby joining the New York Knicks, Masai Ujri will reportedly keep making moves to get his team ready for the future.
With that in mind, most people expect Pascal Siakam to be the next player moved.
Notably, the Indiana Pacers are reportedly keeping tabs on the PF/C.
However, that might not be possible at this time, as NBA insider Kurt Helin reports that the Raptors want Bennedict Mathurin or Jarace Walker in any potential trade involving the Pacers (via NBA Central).
Toronto wants Bennedict Mathurin or Jarace Walker in any trade with Indiana involving Pascal Siakam, per
Mathurin is the best scorer on the team and has developed strong chemistry with Tyrese Haliburton, so he’s not going to be available at any cost.
As for Walker, he’s also young, and the team seems to be quite high on him, and while he could be available at the right price, they’re just not going to part ways with potential franchise cornerstones to get an aging veteran on an expiring deal.
Ujiri has often been a tough negotiator, which has led to multiple failed trades.
At some point, he and the Raptors will have to make a decision and agree to meet someone in the middle.
Siakam won’t extend his contract with the Raptors, so his trade value might drop by the day, and there should be no reason for any team to overpay for a player they could simply try to sign in the offseason.
