Raptors are better off signing Siakam to max and keeping him

[StopitLeo]

He’s entering what will be the most lucrative contract deal of his career, he should be thinking about the money here.

That said, Raptors need to consider the next 5 years on how to build around Barnes, not Siakam. We tried and it doesn’t work. Time to move on.

Getting some pieces from ATL or IND seems fair considering Masai and Bobby sat on this too long.

Shore up the bench and address the centre position and we might actually be a deep playoff team in a few years again.

We tried without a point guard who can score as well as Quickley. Scottie is such a unique player that finding the right fit isn't straightforward.

I'd like to see a few games where there is another guy in Quickley who can be a primary scoring threat when Pascal and Scottie aren't on the floor together. It would also help the assessment if Pascal continues to shoot better and isn't the worst 3pt shooter in history (on volume).

Pascal brings size and scoring on the wing. That will need to be replaced if he's not on the roster because Scottie isn't a face up threat with his ball-handling and may never be.

[Los_29]

This year looks pretty obvious he's driven by money. Why is he putting more effort on offence and has shown his worst effort on defence since his rookie year?

His usage is down from last year.

Even though usage is down, advanced stats still show his defensive metrics are the worst he’s been in a long time.

That would also indicate he’s not driven by money.

[dagger]

I am going to post something that will offend some of you. I think there is a double standard in judging Pascal for excelling so far this season. Fred last season and OG today were having less than stellar contract years, but somehow Pascal is only about the money and will slack off when he gets it? What kind BS is that? Maybe he will, maybe he won't, but WE don't know, and what those posters are saying is that he doesn't care about anything else but money, doesn't care about winning. I mean Fred had a down year, now he's bounced back. OG's performance tailed off the past two months, but I bet he will bounce back, and we will not begrudge him his big salary jump in his next contract, but somehow Pascal is just performing for a contract, not because he actually cares about trying to win. I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt. He saw Fred get the big bag after underperforming, he knows he will get a big bag - whether it's a max or little less, he'll never lack food on the plate and a roof over his head. But he's playing heavy minutes and not complaining about it even though it exposes him to grater injury risk, and he's playing up to his potential. He could ease off now, and it wouldn't do much to change his trade appeal, but he's pushing and pushing to win. So we're going to crap on him for that? Disgusting. I am not against trading him now, there are good team building reasons to do it, but I don't think he should be traded because he MIGHT slack off after getting paid.

[Chalky_White]

If he’s really willing to sign the extension, then shop him until the deadline and if you don’t like the return, re-sign him.

Seems pretty simple.

It takes two to tango. No guarantee Siakam decides to extend past the deadline. He could just decide to test free agency if it only a few months away.

[deeps6x]

that's only for extension purposes. He can resign in the summer for the max.

But what if he sign with another team in offseason? Then its FVV dejavu; Raptors will lose Siakam for nothing. Can we afford another big blow like FVV?

yes i agree with that. Management backed themselves into this corner.
I don't think we will lose Siakam for nothing since we can offer him the most money but i don't see that as a favourable outcome either. I would rather trade him now to get some decent assets rather than being locked into a Siakam led team for the next 5 years.

We won't be 'locked in' to Siakam if he extends. He can still be traded for value down the road.
If he winds up making $47M/yr or whatever, it will still look cheap next to the $70M Tatum will get per year.
The cap will keep going up. If Siakam is a top 25-30 player, he should be paid like a top 25-30 player. That is in the $42M-$50M range this year.

[Jadoogar]

But what if he sign with another team in offseason? Then its FVV dejavu; Raptors will lose Siakam for nothing. Can we afford another big blow like FVV?

yes i agree with that. Management backed themselves into this corner.
I don't think we will lose Siakam for nothing since we can offer him the most money but i don't see that as a favourable outcome either. I would rather trade him now to get some decent assets rather than being locked into a Siakam led team for the next 5 years.

We won't be 'locked in' to Siakam if he extends. He can still be traded for value down the road.
If he winds up making $47M/yr or whatever, it will still look cheap next to the $70M Tatum will get per year.
The cap will keep going up. If Siakam is a top 25-30 player, he should be paid like a top 25-30 player. That is in the $42M-$50M range this year.

is he a top 25-30 player? i think he is but if he continues shooting 28% of whatever from three, many teams will argue he is not. The contract could become hard to move. Zach Lavine on his best days looks like a top 25 player too

[Ado05]

We're just waiting for Siakam to make his decision right now. He's essentially in free agency and needs to choose between the interested teams. Once he does, a deal will get done and the Raptors will get good value.

[Tripod]

Certainly all the analysts feel he is getting dealt.

Mitchell, Leo, Nurse, etc... all have said they expect him to be traded. Time will tell. But if traded, I hope we are all celebrating about the return.

[OakleyDokely]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

[MiamiSPX]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

Yeah, I mean he's practically screaming for that extension, both with this play and with what his agent keeps leaking out there. And yet nothing has been offered.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

I think it was Kate that relayed that Scottie had told her he was upset but that he does see the vision the FO has explained to him. They are definitely not done.

[Zeno]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it affects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

There have been reports that they have discussed the framework of a deal with Pascal if the team decided to go in that direction and Grange mentioned that both looked Dec 30th and a possible time to get an extension done by. Who knows if these things are accurat. In the end, I think they are open to both options and are lucky if Pascal is willing to wait and be open to both options because really, he’s in control to a large extent.

[ArthurVandelay]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

Definite change in Barnes demeanour from Wednesday to Friday.

[WuTang_CMB]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

Yeah, I mean he's practically screaming for that extension, both with this play and with what his agent keeps leaking out there. And yet nothing has been offered.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

I think it was Kate that relayed that Scottie had told her he was upset but that he does see the vision the FO has explained to him. They are definitely not done.

I missed that
anyone got it?

[mrdressup]

Why on Earth would we want to keep him now? Let's get us some rotational players and picks. We have a need for proven bench scorers (preferably young).

[MiamiSPX]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

Yeah, I mean he's practically screaming for that extension, both with this play and with what his agent keeps leaking out there. And yet nothing has been offered.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

I think it was Kate that relayed that Scottie had told her he was upset but that he does see the vision the FO has explained to him. They are definitely not done.

I missed that
anyone got it?

IIRC it was in the 1st half. It was during play and she was obviously off camera. She said he mentioned how close he was to OG and Precious because they were there since he came into the league. And that he said he understands now his role is to help integrate the new guys into the lineup. The biggest takeaway for me was what I already mentioned....that he said the FO has explained the vision to him and he does see it. So there has been communication with him, which I think we would have assumed/hoped but this was confirmation.

[rocky_da_best]

Certainly all the analysts feel he is getting dealt.

Mitchell, Leo, Nurse, etc... all have said they expect him to be traded. Time will tell. But if traded, I hope we are all celebrating about the return.

If there's one thing Toronto-based analysts know, is that they know nothing. Guess Siakam is here to stay

[Tripod]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

Yeah, I mean he's practically screaming for that extension, both with this play and with what his agent keeps leaking out there. And yet nothing has been offered.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

I think it was Kate that relayed that Scottie had told her he was upset but that he does see the vision the FO has explained to him. They are definitely not done.

I missed that
anyone got it?

Yeah that was a nice nugget to hear.

[Dexjackson]

If you can get a similar package as OG, I think he should be dealt. But if teams are lowballing and you can't get another asset like Quickley, re-sign him and try again next year.

This is how I feel as well. At least he's playing well lately. If he keeps this up until the deadline it only helps his value to contenders.

[Madhouse]

The most telling sign is that raps haven't engaged at all in contract talks despite Siakam wanting to re-sign. I don't think the Raps mind keeping him, but if they get a solid offer, I think he's moved.

Yeah, I mean he's practically screaming for that extension, both with this play and with what his agent keeps leaking out there. And yet nothing has been offered.

It's been reported over and over that every decision right now is based on how it effects Barnes. During the game, I can't remember if it was Jack or Matt, but they mentioned that Barnes was sad about the trade because he lost some friends, but management discussed their plan with him and explained why this deal made sense long term. Seems like there's constant communication between upper management and Barnes.

I think it was Kate that relayed that Scottie had told her he was upset but that he does see the vision the FO has explained to him. They are definitely not done.

I think the plan is to trade Siakam but the offer has to be there and they need to be patient. In a best case scenario even the current lineup they have is just that until another trade or two happen. A dynamic guard was acquired, now I think the roster construction is looking for 2 shooters, one at Center and one at forward. I'm not sure the Center can be pulled off but if Siakam can be traded for a promising forward who can shoot, you need to go for it. Easier said than done but I can see this being the plan of the FO to put the right team around Barnes in place.