Pascal Siakam was involved in a number of trade rumors in the offseason. We're not even two months into the season, but his name is already back in the rumor mill.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, teams are keeping close tabs on both the Raptors and the Bulls. Scottie Barnes has been deemed untouchable, but there's a belief around the league that either Siakam or O.G. Anunoby could be traded before this season's trade deadline.
Of the two, Siakam appears to be the likelier player to be traded, per Charania. There are a few teams expected to be suitors if he becomes available, a list that includes the Hawks.
Things change quickly in the NBA. Damian Lillard, for example, seemed destined to be a member of the Heat. Instead, he was traded to the Bucks in a deal that took everyone by surprise. Even so, this isn't the first time the Hawks have been linked to Siakam and it might not be the last.
Here's why the Hawks continue to be connected to Siakam.
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Latest Pascal Siakam to Hawks trade rumors
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported in June that Siakam was believed to be on Atlanta's radar. A week later, Fischer wrote that the Hawks had "attempted several creative packages" to land Siakam.
While the Hawks were unable to acquire the two-time All-Star, it doesn't sound like discussions ended there.
"Atlanta felt like they were close and that they had a pretty good package for Pascal Siakam last summer, in July," Charania said recently on TSN's OverDrive. "There were some pretty intense conversations, back-and-forths, a deal centered around De'Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin and draft compensations.
"That deal did not get done. We'll see as we get close over the next several months where this goes, but I think whether it's Pascal Siakam or O.G. Anunoby, those are the names that are going to continue to be mentioned."
According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Hawks were unwilling to include Kobe Bufkin in talks for Siakam. Bufkin was in Toronto's range in the 2023 NBA Draft, but the franchise selected Gradey Dick with the No. 13 pick instead. Bufkin went two picks later to the Hawks.
Bufkin has appeared in only two games this season due to a left thumb fracture.
What could the Hawks offer the Raptors for Pascal Siakam?
The Hawks have some interesting players they could package together for Siakam.
If Atlanta's goal was to create a team capable of competing in the Eastern Conference, it's hard to imagine Trae Young or Dejounte Murray headlining a deal. The Hawks could still match Siakam's $37.9 million salary with two of Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela.
Hunter only recently turned 26, but Bogdanovic and Capela are around their 30s. Other prospects who are on a more similar timeline as Barnes include Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, Bufkin and Griffin.
The Hawks can currently offer a maximum of two first-round picks — one from the Kings in 2024 and their own in 2029 or 2030 — so it would likely have to be a more player-centered deal as opposed to a pick one.
MORE: Why Raptors say yes and no to best Pascal Siakam trade offers from Hawks, Pacers, Magic
Why would the Raptors trade Pascal Siakam?
The Raptors are currently riding a four-game losing streak and are 9-14 on the season. Given the leap Barnes has made and him being only 22 years old, there's an argument to be made that Toronto would be better off trading the likes of Siakam and Anunoby to rebuild around Barnes.
Complicating matters further is that Siakam will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. If he earns an All-NBA selection, wins MVP or is named Defensive Player of the Year this season, he'll be eligible to sign a five-year, $290.3 million contract. If he doesn't earn one of those accolades, he'll be eligible for a five-year, $248.8 million contract.
As good as Siakam is, that's a lot of money for a Raptors team that missed the playoffs last season and is currently in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference standings to commit to a 29-year-old.
Why would the Hawks trade for Pascal Siakam?
The Hawks made a big move in 2022 by trading three first-round picks and a pick swap for Murray. They went 41-41 last season and were knocked out by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Through 21 games this season, they're a spot ahead of the Raptors in the standings with a 9-13 record.
The Hawks currently have a top-five offense but rank 27th in defensive efficiency. Adding Siakam, who has been good for 22.7 points per game over the last five seasons, would add another dimension to their offense and could help some of their defensive issues, as he's one of the league's more versatile forward defenders.
Siakam alone probably isn't enough for the Hawks to compete with the best of the best, but it could be what they need to move from Play-In territory to top-six range in the Eastern Conference.
