Toronto Raptors

The Sacramento Kings are reportedly interested in acquiring forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors.

Appearing on the Deuce & Mo Podcast with Morgan Ragan, Sam Amick of The Athletic said that while the Kings are interested in Siakam, they are "waiting for clarity" about whether the Raptors truly intend to deal him:

According to @sam_amick, The Kings definitely have interest in Pascal Siakam.

Watch or listen to the full podcast:
🔉 >> https://t.co/KqpIjcVVhJ
📺 >> https://t.co/mALIlDOnCs pic.twitter.com/eKZ2vg87w0

— Morgan Ragan (@momoragan) August 3, 2021

Siakam, 27, has spent his entire five-year NBA career in Toronto where he has earned one All-Star nod and one NBA championship.

NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t HoopsHype) reported last week that rival executives felt the selection of forward Scottie Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft was a sign that the Raptors were becoming more willing to move Siakam.

If the Raptors part ways with the 6'9", 230-pound Siakam, it stands to reason that he will be highly sought-after on the trade market.

After playing a minimal role in his first two NBA seasons, the first-round pick out of New Mexico State broke out in a big way in 2018-19, winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award and becoming a key player on a championship-winning team.

Siakam averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists that season before taking another significant step in 2019-20.

Following the departure of Kawhi Leonard in free agency, Siakam essentially became the go-to offensive option, averaging a career-high 22.9 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game to go along with 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal.

The Cameroon native earned his first and only All-Star selection that season, but the narrative surrounding him changed this past season as the Raptors nosedived to a 27-45 record.

Even so, Siakam remained productive, averaging 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, a career-high 4.5 assists, 1.3 three-pointers and 1.1 steals. His field-goal percentage was 45.5 after it was 45.3 the previous season, but his three-point shooting percentage dipped from 35.9 to 29.7.

The Kings have a talented roster, but it hasn't translated to team success, as Sacramento went 31-41 in each of the past two seasons and hasn't reached the playoffs since 2006.

For now, De'Aaron Fox, Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley III, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton and Harrison Barnes are all set to return next season, although trade rumors have surrounded several of them.

The Kings truly need a roster shake-up of some kind in order to truly get in the playoff conversation, and adding Siakam to a core that includes Fox and Haliburton would undoubtedly qualify.

Sacramento has a lot of solid pieces and likely enough assets to make a trade for Siakam happen, but the Raptors have yet to make it clear that they are looking to move on from him.

Given that Toronto has already lost veteran guard Kyle Lowry this offseason, however, trading Siakam and starting a rebuild could be in the Raptors' best interest.

Rather than wait to see what the restricted free-agent market had to offer, the Toronto Raptors and Gary Trent Jr. have agreed to terms on a contract extension. 

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Trent Jr. signed a three-year, $54 million contract. 

Toronto could have given Trent a qualifying offer valued at $4.74 million that would have made him a restricted free agent and eligible to match any potential offer sheet an opposing team gave him. 

Coming off a disappointing 27-45 record, the Raptors have some key roster decisions to make this offseason. Kyle Lowry has signed with the Miami Heat, and Pascal Siakam is expected to miss the start of next season after undergoing shoulder surgery in June. 

Trent is no longer one of those questions, solidifying his future in Toronto after being acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in March as part of the Norman Powell trade. He had a breakout season in 2020-21, putting himself in line to receive a lucrative multiyear contract. 

The Duke alum was a second-round pick by the Blazers in the 2018 NBA draft. He played sparingly as a rookie before taking on a prominent role off the bench in his second season. His 41.8 three-point percentage in 2019-20 was tied with Kyle Korver for ninth in the league. 

Based on that performance, Trent assumed an even bigger role in 2020-21. He started 23 games for the Blazers between Jan. 25 and March 14 when CJ McCollum was out with a fractured foot. 

After McCollum returned to the starting lineup, Portland used Trent as a trade chip to acquire Powell in an attempt to upgrade its defense for a playoff run. 

The Ohio native started 15 of the 17 games he played for the Raptors down the stretch. He averaged 16.2 points per contest and put his shooting on full display in a 44-point outburst against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 10. He shot 38.5 percent from three on 7.4 attempts per game for the season. 

As a young player whose game is ascending, Trent has the potential to be one of the Raptors' best players as they embark on a new era.

Coming off a productive 2020-21 season, Nerlens Noel is reportedly going to have his share of suitors as a free agent. 

Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Noel is expected to receive interest from the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

From that group, the Knicks are the most familiar with Noel. The 27-year-old spent last season with the team, starting 41 games when Mitchell Robinson was sidelined with injuries. 

The Raptors have been linked to several centers so far this offseason. B/R's Jake Fischer reported the Cleveland Cavaliers view Toronto as their "biggest threat" to retaining Jarrett Allen as a restricted free agent. 

Fischer also listed the Raptors and Knicks as potential landing spots for Richaun Holmes. The Kings' interest in Noel could depend on what happens with Holmes, who spent the past two seasons in Sacramento. 

The Pistons have an opening at center after agreeing to trade Mason Plumlee and the 37th overall pick in the 2021 draft to the Charlotte Hornets for the 57th overall pick in Thursday's draft, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Drafted sixth overall in 2013, Noel has bounced around the league over the past eight seasons. Prior to his time in New York, he had stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Noel averaged 5.1 points on 61.4 percent shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 64 appearances for the Knicks last season.    

The Toronto Raptors' decision to draft forward Scottie Barnes No. 4 overall Thursday night may have the marked the end of Pascal Siakam's time with the franchise. 

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, some rival teams were "immediately convinced" the team will look to trade Siakam this offseason. The 27-year-old has three years remaining on a four-year, $136.9 million deal, though the Raps would be likely selling low after the forward's production dipped to 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game in 2020-21. 

It's unclear what type of return Toronto would be looking for to make such a deal. 

The Raptors fined their franchise star $50,000 after he got into a shouting match with head coach Nick Nurse in March with Sportsnet's Michael Grange reporting "[Siakam] got personal, lines were crossed and teammates had to intervene".

Siakam should get the benefit of the doubt after the pandemic forced the Raptors to play their home games in Tampa, Florida, while waiting for the Canadian government to ease coronavirus restrictions at the border. It would be understandable for that amount of uncertainty to impact a player on a nightly basis. 

In turn, the Raptors finished the season 27-45, which ranked fourth-to-last in the Eastern Conference. 

That led the team to take Barnes over the likes of Gonzaga's Jalen Suggs as many had expected. 

pic.twitter.com/6kTaOlpm5y

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) July 30, 2021

Bleacher Reports' Jonathan Wasserman noted Barnes' stock was rising ahead of the draft and explained what made so many teams enamored with the Florida State product: 

There is a belief Barnes has star potential, even if it's the unconventional type. Scouts see zero downside and only unique upside tied to his 6'8", 225-pound frame, 7'2¾" wingspan, ball-handling and passing for playmaking, and surefire defense. And they talk about the likability factor. Barnes' energy, passion and unselfishness were evident during the season and easy to detect during interviews.

He's trending at the right time, like a year ago when interest in Patrick Williams felt contagious and gradually spread to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4 overall. Similarly, Barnes is now being viewed as one of the class' premier prospects, having seemingly broken free from the second tier that includes Connecticut's James Bouknight, Tennessee's Keon Johnson, Michigan's Franz Wagner, Australia's Josh Giddey, Texas' Kai Jones, Gonzaga's Corey Kispert, Arkansas' Moses Moody, Baylor's Davion Mitchell and Duke's Jalen Johnson.

Barnes may not tap into his potential star power immediately, but with Kyle Lowry likely on the move this offseason as an unrestricted free agent, it would make sense for Toronto to try jump-starting a quick rebuild by moving Siakam. 

   

  

The Toronto Raptors have selected Florida State star Scottie Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

     

Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Scottie Barnes

Position: SF/PF

Height: 6'8"

Pro Comparison: Draymond Green

Scouting Report: With 6'8" size, 7'3" length, ball-handling skills and passing IQ, Barnes offers a unique mix of physical tools and skills. But he'll earn his reputation and money on defense, where he can legitimately guard all five positions.

    

Raptors Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Pascal Siakam, PF: $34.2M (2024)

Fred VanVleet, PG: $21.3M (2024)

OG Anunoby, SF: $18M (2025)

Rodney Hood, SF: $10.5M (2022)

Aron Baynes, C: $7.2M (2022)

Chris Boucher, PF: $6.8M (2022)

Scottie Barnes, SF/PF: $6.1M (projected first-year salary, per RealGM)

Malachi Flynn, PG: $2M (2024)

Freddie Gillespie, PF: $1.9M (2022)

DeAndre' Bembry, SF: $1.9M (2022)

Paul Watson, SG: $1.6M (2022)

Yuta Watanabe, SF: $1M (2022)

Dalano Banton, G: No. 46 overall pick

David Johnson, G: No. 47 overall pick

                    

Free Agents

Kyle Lowry, PG: UFA

Stanley Johnson, SF: UFA 

Nando De Colo, PG: RFA

Gary Trent, Jr.: RFA

Khem Birch, PF: RFA

Jalen Harris, PG: RFA

      

The forward collected a number of accolades in his lone season with the Seminoles. He was the ACC's Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year while earning third-team all-conference honors.

Barnes averaged 16.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.4 steals per 40 minutes, according to Sports Reference. The 19-year-old did a bit of everything for FSU as it reached the Sweet 16 for the third time in four years.

Two-way players have never been more valuable in the NBA as position-less basketball reigns supreme. Barnes' playmaking ability and defending will make him an impactful addition to Toronto's frontcourt in 2021-22.

Barnes leads a three-player Raptor draft class that also includes a pair of guards in Nebraska's Dalano Banton (No. 46) and Louisville's David Johnson (No. 47).

The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly offered Ben Simmons to the Toronto Raptors for Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby and the No. 4 overall draft pick, but the Raps rejected that deal.

Matt Moore of the Action Network provided the report.

Multiple sources confirmed Sunday that the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a team with 'significant' interest in Simmons. One source close to talks said discussions have not been substantial as of yet. Multiple sources including those close to talks said a proposed framework including Raptors guards Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the fourth overall pick in Thursday’s draft for Simmons was rejected by Toronto.

The 25-year-old Simmons is a three-time All-Star who has helped lead Philadelphia to the playoffs each of the past four seasons.

He averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game last year en route to Philadelphia earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, he struggled in the 76ers' second-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, averaging only 9.9 points per game while shooting a horrendous 33.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Simmons went only 6-of-14 from the field over the last three games of the series, and he did not attempt a single shot in the fourth quarter of those games. He scored only five points on 2-of-4 shooting in Game 7, which Philly lost 103-96.

Trade rumors have swirled following the season, to the point where a league source told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer that a Simmons deal is "inevitable."

“Philadelphia has options,” that source told Pompey. “They’re just not finite.”

Dave Early of Liberty Ballers aggregated a bunch of trade rumors surrounding Simmons, and they all seem to be pointing to his eventual exit.

The Raptors appear to have interest.

"Talks between the Raptors and Sixers are considered to be the most advanced of any early conversations Philadelphia has had for the 25-year-old All-Star," Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report noted.

Longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein also reported on a podcast with former ESPN NBA draft analyst Chad Ford that the Raps "expressed some interest" in dealing for Simmons (h/t Mike Luciano of Raptors Rapture).

On the Raptors' end, they have some decisions to make following a disappointing 27-45 season.

Of note, six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry is set to enter unrestricted free agency, leaving a potential backcourt gap. Simmons could be that answer, although Toronto could have some competition in the trade market for the 25-year-old.

Stein reported on Substack that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings also have interest in Simmons.

Multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest in signing veteran point guard Kyle Lowry in free agency.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat are expected to be among the teams in pursuit of the longtime Toronto Raptors star.

Pompey noted that Lowry is believed to be asking for a contract worth a total of $90 million over three years.

A source told Pompey that if the Sixers can acquire Lowry via a sign-and-trade deal and offer him between $25 million and $30 million per season, he would "consider it."

Pompey also reported that the Knicks appear willing to offer Lowry a two-year deal worth somewhere between $20 million and $30 million per season.

Lowry is set to become arguably the top free agent on the open market this offseason after earning six All-Star nods and winning a championship in his nine seasons with the Raptors.

In 601 regular-season games for Toronto, the 35-year-old averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers made and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 42.5 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three-point range.

This past season, Lowry was limited to 46 games because of injury, but he was highly productive when healthy, averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 three-pointers made and 1.0 steal.

Lowry would be a good fit for any number of teams with his playmaking ability, three-point shooting skills and defense, but the Knicks stand out especially because of their dire need for a point guard.

Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton are set to hit free agency and restricted free agent Frank Ntilikina may not be back, leaving the Knicks with only Immanuel Quickley as a legitimate point guard option, even though he is more of a combo guard.

Lowry would give the Knicks some much-needed backcourt experience and a third star to go along with Julius Randle and RJ Barrett for a New York team that surprisingly made the playoffs last season.

The Sixers would also make sense for Lowry given that he is a Philadelphia native.

It stands to reason that the 76ers could sign the Villanova product and play him next to Ben Simmons, although acquiring Lowry could perhaps open the door for a Simmons trade after he performed poorly in last season's playoffs.

Like the Sixers, the Lakers would likely require a sign-and-trade in order to land Lowry, but they may not have the assets needed to make it happen.

Per Pompey, a source said getting a third superstar to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be difficult for the Lakers if they intend on Kyle Kuzma being the centerpiece of any trade.

Because of that, the Lakers may need to bring in a third team in order to have any chance of prying Lowry away from the Raptors.

The Miami Heat are reportedly "very interested" in signing Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry, who is set to enter unrestricted free agency.

Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald shared details of Lowry's reported desired contract parameters Monday: 

Days before the start of NBA free agency, the Miami Heat remains very interested in impending free agent point guard Kyle Lowry but faces increasing competition.

According to a source in touch with the player, Lowry would like a guaranteed three-year deal, averaging $30 million per season.

Even if he doesn’t get $30 million, he’s very likely to command an offer topping $25 million.

The 15-year NBA veteran averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds last season for the Raptors. He made the All-Star Game each year from 2015-2020 and helped lead the Raps to the 2018-19 NBA title.

The Raptors have some tough decisions to make after a disappointing 2020-21 season during which they finished 11th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13.

It was a trying year for the Raptors, who had to play "home" games in Tampa's Amalie Arena due to COVID-19 concerns and border restrictions. They ultimately lost 10 of their last 11 games to finish the year 27-45.

The Raptors were also shorthanded and injured all year, and no player started more than 56 of the team's 72 games. Lowry was notably out for 26 contests.

The former Villanova star was exceptional when he was on the court, and Toronto could very well bring him back, but interest will be high elsewhere.

Miami, for instance, is just two years removed from an NBA Finals appearance.

The Heat lost to the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of last year's playoffs, but they still have a talented crew that includes a pair of All-Stars in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. An addition like Lowry could vault them into the upper echelon of Eastern Conference title contenders.

Chiang and Jackson noted Miami could also work out a sign-and-trade with Toronto for Lowry rather than signing him outright as a free agent.

"Miami’s other option would be working out a sign-and-trade with Toronto, but it’s questionable if the sides can agree on compensation," they wrote.  "The Heat remains reluctant to include [shooting guard Tyler Herro] in a sign-and-trade for Lowry, according to a source."

For now, the date to watch is Monday, Aug. 2, which is when teams can begin negotiating with free agents.

With Kyle Lowry hitting free agency, the Toronto Raptors might be looking at his heir apparent in Jalen Suggs.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported those around the NBA "overwhelmingly" expect the Raptors to select the Gonzaga star with the No. 4 overall pick.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic projected Suggs to wind up in Toronto but reported Florida State wing Scottie Barnes was a potential target for the team.

Fred VanVleet averaged 19.6 points and 6.3 assists this past season. He's so far justifying the four-year, $85 million extension he signed with the Raptors last fall. 

But VanVleet has probably hit his ceiling in the NBA. He's a valuable guard, but one who's unlikely to have an All-Star or All-NBA breakthrough.

Over time, Suggs might eclipse him on the court. In the short term, they'd form a similarly electric partnership that Lowry and VanVleet had. In his only season with the Zags, Suggs averaged 14.4 points, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals.

The 20-year-old guard might be able to contribute right away in a meaningful way, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx3LuhZOFn8

The Raptors winning 27 games was largely due to a confluence of factors including having to play thousands of miles away from home in Tampa, Florida, and seeing both players and coaches briefly ruled out due to COVID-19 protocols.

Though winning a title in 2022 is probably a bridge too far for Toronto, a return to the playoffs won't be out of the question even if Lowry signs elsewhere.

Guards often struggle the most with the transition to the NBA because they're tasked with running the offense. Suggs is good enough that he could slot into the backcourt alongside VanVleet and help the Raptors in their push back into the postseason.

The Toronto Raptors have reportedly "expressed some interest" in a potential trade for Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons.

Substack's Marc Stein reported Friday on Chad Ford's NBA Big Board podcast the Raptors are exploring whether there's "a way" to get Simmons from the Sixers. 

The 25-year-old LSU product has been rumored as a potential trade candidate since Philly was knocked out of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round. The three-time All-Star scored just 19 points over the final three games of that series.

Although he's been linked to numerous teams, a deal has never seemed imminent, and the Sixers' asking price is likely the reason why.

Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that Philadelphia is seeking a "massive haul" headlined by an All-Star-level player to move Simmons.

The Australia native is a highly productive two-way player, averaging 14.3 points and 6.9 assists while being named All-Defensive first team for the second straight season in 2020-21, but his longtime shooting woes have kept him from reaching the true top tier of NBA players.

Simmons has attempted just 34 threes in his career and made five (14.7 percent), and he's also a career 59.7 percent shooter from the free-throw line.

After the Sixers' postseason elimination, head coach Doc Rivers said there's a plan in place to help the point guard work through those shooting issues.

"I believe, without going into detail with what we're doing, I believe we know what the right work is, and the right type of work, and the right way to do it," Rivers told reporters in June. "You can do the work all the time, but if it's not done in the right way and the right type of work, you may not improve."

The Raptors, meanwhile, will probably spend the offseason trying to find a new point guard with Kyle Lowry heading for the free-agent market and likely to land with a title contender. If Lowry returns, the team's interest in a Simmons trade will fade away.

Should Toronto add Simmons to a core currently led by power forward Pascal Siakam, the focus for the remainder of the offseason will be surrounding that duo with more outside shooting. Siakam shot just 29.7 percent from beyond the arc last season.

The Sixers' asking price may need to come down before the Simmons trade talk really heats up, though.