The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that is currently trying to compete for a championship, and there’s no doubt that they have a talented roster as of right now. Still, changes could be on the horizon for the team if they fail to make a deep run in the playoffs.
A player that the team could potentially try and get with their limited resources is forward Pascal Siakam, who currently plays for the Toronto Raptors. Siakam is notably on an expiring contract, which makes acquiring him easier for the Philadelphia 76ers. Here is a potential trade framework.
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors Receive: Tobias Harris, Jalen McDaniels, 2029 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2024 Second-Round Pick (NYK via PHI), 2027 Second-Round Pick (PHI)
There’s no doubt that this could end up being a solid deal for both teams, especially given Siakam’s contract situation. Here is why both teams should consider making this deal.
Philadelphia 76ers Add An Elite Two-Way Forward To Their Roster
The Philadelphia 76ers already have one of the best overall rosters in the NBA, but one area of weakness for them is the forward positions. Adding Pascal Siakam will give them versatility on both ends of the floor which is required in the modern game at both forward positions. He is a player that has shown he can be the No. 2 scoring option on a championship-level team, and adding him could give the Philadelphia 76ers an edge in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Pascal Siakam is currently averaging 24.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 6.0 APG for the Toronto Raptors. On the defensive end, he is a player that can guard multiple positions and provides some rim protection while also being a great rebounder for his position. On offense, Siakam provides supplementary scoring, and he knows how to play off a superstar like Joel Embiid. He would also reduce some of the pressure to score on James Harden while also benefitting from the latter’s playmaking abilities. Pascal Siakam is clearly not a player that can be the No. 1 option on a championship-level team, but he is one of the best No. 2 options in the entire league.
This deal would feature the Philadelphia 76ers moving Tobias Harris’ expiring contract, a promising young wing in Jalen McDaniels, and draft compensation for Pascal Siakam. He will be on the last year of his deal with the Toronto Raptors at the end of this season, and even if Siakam ends up being a rental, this deal is worth it as an all-in move for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Toronto Raptors Get A Solid Deal For Pascal Siakam’s Expiring Contract
If Pascal Siakam decides that he doesn’t want to play for a team that is in a rebuilding stage, then he could end up asking for a trade or simply tell the Raptors that he will not be re-signing at the end of his current deal. If that scenario comes to pass, the best option for the Toronto Raptors would be to move the forward to recoup some assets and make sure they don’t lose him for nothing in free agency.
For a player on an expiring contract, the Toronto Raptors are getting a pretty solid deal for Pascal Siakam from the Philadelphia 76ers. Tobias Harris’ expiring contract ensures that they don’t take on any long-term salary, they get a pretty good first-round pick, as well as a promising young prospect with two-way potential in Jalen McDaniels. They would also get some second-round picks as supplementary draft compensation, and the Toronto Raptors have a good history in the draft, often being able to find gems outside of the lottery.
Of course, there is a chance that Pascal Siakam will decide to remain long-term with the Toronto Raptors, but that seems unlikely as of now. The franchise will likely prioritize building around Scottie Barnes, and Pascal Siakam doesn’t necessarily fit the young forward’s timeline. A move would be the best option for both Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors on several levels. Moving Siakam could allow some of the other players on the roster to have higher usage rates and grow individually, which could lead to a more competitive roster in the future. Sometimes teams have to take one step back to take multiple steps forward, and this would be one of those times.
This Trade Could Be A Win-Win Deal For Both Teams
Both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors could stand to benefit from this deal. The Philadelphia 76ers would get one of the best power forwards in the league and continue to stack talent on their roster. The goal is to build a juggernaut that competes with teams like the Milwaukee Bucks or the Boston Celtics, and adding Pascal Siakam would help the Philadelphia 76ers be one step closer to that status. A frontcourt of Joel Embiid and Pascal Siakam would be one of the best in the league, and they could dominate opposing teams with size, length, and athleticism.
Though losing Pascal Siakam in a trade to an Eastern Conference rival would hurt sections of the fanbase, this move could be worth it long-term if the goal is to build another championship-level team that is centered on Scottie Barnes. Pascal Siakam would net them a solid amount of assets despite being on an expiring contract. He was already shopped ahead of this year’s trade deadline, and it is only a matter of time before the team ends up moving him.
It remains to be seen if the two teams will ever agree on a deal with this framework. This has the potential to be a win-win trade for both teams, and hopefully, the two teams at least consider making this move this upcoming offseason when trade season begins once again.
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