NBA News: The Kings Would Not Guarantee a New Contract in Order to Trade for Pascal Siakam
“My understanding is that the Kings would still trade for Siakam even without the assurance that he’d re-sign, but his lack of commitment certainly changes the assets they’d be willing to give up alongside Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter,” O’Connor said in a statement.
According to Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto, the Kings and Raptors briefly discussed trading the two-time All-Star before ending the negotiations. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Siakam does not see the Sacramento Kings as a “long-term” match and has no desire to join them.
The Kings have been aggressively looking for a third star to join De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, but general manager Monte McNair has been reticent to put the team’s top players in trade discussions. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Sacramento has no interest in negotiating a potential deal for sharpshooting forward Keegan Murray.
Due to the front office’s insistence on keeping a young player like Murray out of trades, combined with Siakam’s reported unwillingness to stay with the team beyond the 2023-24 season, opposing front offices may end up outbidding the Kings in talks with Raptors team president Masai Ujiri (per O’Connor).
Despite the 29-year-old’s impressive performance in 38 starts this season, Toronto might opt out of the balance of his contract and focus on constructing the squad around former Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes and recent trade signings Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
This season, Siakam has averaging 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from three.
With a 23-16 record, the Kings are unlikely to rush to add another big player before the February 8 trade deadline. However, the signing of Siakam may help Sacramento escape another painful first-round loss in the playoffs.