The Miami Heat lost in the NBA Finals, but it was extremely impressive to see them make it all the way to the highest stage. They managed to achieve that by being disciplined on offense and making timely 3PT shots, but it is clear that offense was an issue for them, as the Heat were often stagnant on that end of the floor.
It is clear that a trade must happen for the Miami Heat to take the next step and truly become a championship-level team. Though they have been pursuing Damian Lillard as of late, they have made no progress in trade talks thus far. Perhaps pivoting to a different target would make more sense. One option for the team is trying to get Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam with a Tyler Herro-centered package.Â
Miami Heat Receive: Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors Receive: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA)
This trade could definitely be good from the perspective of both franchises. Pascal Siakam is on an expiring contract, so it is quite possible that the Raptors will entertain trading him to avoid losing him for nothing, especially if they can’t come to an agreement on an extension. Here is why both teams should consider doing this deal before the start of the season.
Pascal Siakam Makes The Heat Better On Both Ends Of The Floor
There is no doubt that Pascal Siakam is a gifted two-way player, and most would agree that he is one of the best power forwards in the league. Siakam has shown that he can be a No. 2 option in a championship team in 2019, and he is a much better player than he was then. His skill set would definitely help the Miami Heat take another step toward winning the championship.
This past season with the Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam averaged 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG for the Toronto Raptors. He is clearly an All-NBA level player at his best and is also one of the best point forwards in the league. Offensively, his versatile scoring would be able to take some of the pressure off of Jimmy Butler. Butler would also help Siakam on that end as well: one of the latter’s biggest issues is clutch-time scoring, while Butler is one of the better clutch-time scorers in the league.
Defensively, Bam Adebayo and Pascal Siakam would make for a menacing frontcourt. They are both athletic players with length and comfortably switch through all five positions on defense. Though there have been times when Pascal Siakam has struggled with defense in recent years, that can be explained by the increased offensive load the forward has had to carry. On the Miami Heat, he will be a No. 2 option, so perhaps his defense will pick back up.
Overall, it is fair to say that Pascal Siakam would be a fantastic fit for the Miami Heat. His two-way skill set will likely make him a favorite of Erik Spoelstra’s, and Siakam, at his heart, is a winning, unselfish player. He would bring some championship experience to the team as well, and Siakam’s ability and talent could take the Heat over the top.
The Raptors Get A Solid Package For A Star On An Expiring Contract
If the Toronto Raptors can’t agree on or don’t want to give Pascal Siakam an extension, then trading him to a different team is the logical solution. The Miami Heat can offer the Raptors one of the best possible packages for the forward.
The key acquisition here for the Toronto Raptors is guard Tyler Herro. The team is in need of guard play after the departure of Fred VanVleet. Tyler Herro could be the lead guard for the team: last season with the Miami Heat, Herro averaged 20.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 4.2 APG while shooting 37.8% from 3PT range. Going to the Raptors would give him more opportunity to expand his game, and perhaps he could blossom into a star-level player on a new franchise. The team has also already expressed interest in Tyler Herro, so it makes sense for them to accept a package with him in it.
The other pieces in this trade package include Caleb Martin and Nikola Jovic. Caleb Martin has shown that he is a solid 3 and D player, and shooting was notably an issue for the Raptors last year. Jovic, meanwhile could develop into a solid center, but he needs playing time to do so, which he would obviously get on the Toronto Raptors. The team would also receive an unprotected first-round pick in 2030 as the draft compensation in this deal.
Though trading away their franchise player will hurt the Toronto Raptors, this is a package that they cannot refuse for a player on an expiring contract. They would also be sending Pascal Siakam to a competitive situation, and doing right by their star.
Pascal Siakam Is A Game-Changer For The Miami Heat
There is no doubt that Pascal Siakam is a good player who can help the Miami Heat improve in multiple areas. Point forwards are one of the most valuable archetypes in the league, and Siakam fits that mold. A do-everything player with size is just what the Miami Heat needs to win the championship, and it is clear that Siakam is a game-changer for the team.
For the Toronto Raptors, this deal is simply about getting a good package for their star under the circumstance. Landing Tyler Herro for a player on a one-year deal is an absolute steal, and it seems straightforward for them.
The key for the Miami Heat is to try and get Pascal Siakam to agree to an extension with them, in which case the deal will get even better for them. That can open up their window for the next few years, and we’ll see if they end up getting Siakam in the future.
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