Pascal Siakam - Back or Fools gold?

[Duffman100]

Having watched Pascal that past 90 days, he looks like he's "back". He's enjoying the game more and has his touch around the bucket back.

In December, he averaged 22, 9 and 5. In January (so far), 23 9 and 6.

29, 10 and 7 against the Pelicans
33, 6 and 6 against the Bucks
20, 14 and 7 against the Knicks
25, 19 and 7 against the Clippers

Mix in some steals and blocks and they are some gaudy statlines that only a handful of people in the NBA can put up.

On the other hand, the Raptors have been facing teams that aren't at full strength. So there's a piece of me that's worried that he's capitalizing on weaker players. Once he's back to being guarded by the league's elite, he'll wilt back to a reduced form.

Should the Raps roll with him? Trade him while his value has been re-established?

[KGtabake]

Sell now and run.

[Tor_Raps]

He's back to what should be a great 2nd option but still not good enough to be a 1st option.

[Parataxis]

It looks like he's finally recovered from COVID and injuries and is back to playing like he was before everything started (plus better passing now too, which is a nice bonus)

[Duke4life831]

I wont lie, I dont watch too many Raptors games. But just from a quick box score look it looks like he is still the same Siakam he has been since Kawhi left.

[DelAbbot]

this poll will be 50%+ Raptors fans on realgm so it will have a bias.

having said that - Siakam is back to 2018/2019 form with better midrange and passing. His 3pt shot not back.

[canada_dry]

Back.

Better in ways. Pull up mid range and playmaking has upgraded. The 3 pt shot remains shaky

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[VanWest82]

He's mostly back. He looks physically okay (finally!!) but due to the shoulder surgery he couldn't get his jumper all the way back. My guess is he'll look even better next year.

[Bobbymcgee]

I thought he was going to be a star, and I am guessing Toronto did too considering the contract they gave him. Then, a bad attitude and injuries seemed to derail all of that. Now, I feel like his ceiling is more along the lines of Luol Deng.

[Bornstellar]

I think he's back. But I also think he's a glorified second option at best, probably a third option on a good team.

[Karate Diop]

We know who he is at this point in time. He's a third option who in select matchups can be a second option.

As a number one option he'll flounder and nobody will respect your team.

[DAcReator]

I think he's back. But I also think he's a glorified second option at best, probably a third option on a good team.

as a raps fam I haven't loved siakam for a long time... but considering he won a championship as the second/third option, I'd say he more than "probably" is one on a good team today lol

[LoveMyRaps]

I think he's back. But I also think he's a glorified second option at best, probably a third option on a good team.

He was literally a second option on a championship winning team.

[LoveMyRaps]

Back and better than ever.

Worth every penny of his contract.

A bonafide star that can do it all.

[DarkXaero]

Fool's gold and will always be fool's gold.

[Ducksplatt]

Back and will look even better next year Scottie in year 2.


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[ArtMorte]

Back.

Better in ways. Pull up mid range and playmaking has upgraded. The 3 pt shot remains shaky
]

He shot 36% from the three for two seasons and then went to crap. Kinda strange.

Anyway, I think he's a good pairing with VanVleet.

[Gasolina]

His playmaking is extremely good right now from the forward position. This has been the most underrated addition to his game, and it has opened up the floor for him rather than the run the floor - get cut off - telegraphed spin move into turnover that he was doing before. He's a very good player and people that are saying he can be at best a third option are tripping - he was already a second option on a championship team as an inferior version of the player he is now.

His 3 point shot isn't back and I don't know if he will ever shoot above 32% again in any given season. Regardless of that, he is still easily a top 30 player in the league. Teams would kill to have him even if fanbases continue to clown the guy for a bad showing in the bubble. I do think that some of the accusations about him being mentally weak or having frequently bad body language are legit, but when he's rolling he is a very good player. I would take him over guys like Jaylen Brown, Ingram, Randle, Sabonis, Collins, etc. easily. He's better than all those guys, and probably just a little worse than Middleton.

[Statlanta]

Somebody's gotta shoot on these teams. It won't be Yuta Watanabe or Chris Boucher.

[cupcakesnake]

He looks like 75% 2019 Siakam and 25% 2020 Siakam. I mean that in a good way. He's mostly back to being an efficient swiss army knife that can dominate with hustle and versatility. Career high rebounding and assist rates. He's shooting less 3s and sticking more to his strengths. He still gets a little overconfident in iso sometimes and likes to attack even when he doesn't have the matchup. He's a playmaking hustle guy who can post up mismatches and kill you in transition. Nice to see his usage dip a bit because I think that's where he's optimized.

Long term I'm not sure I see room for Barnes and Siakam to both be their best selves together. But I'm not sure what kind of player Barnes will evolve into, it's still so early.

I love Siakam. He's an all-time Raptor and the face of the vaunted Raptors culture (more than Lowry imo). If they trade him, I'll be sad about it. But if they get a lot for him, I won't think it was a terrible idea.