Recent discussions with Pascal Siakam on Raptors Extensions have provided the latest information.
One of the most confusing things about this season is still his situation with the Toronto Raptors. To some degree, it made sense that Toronto would want to test how the former All-NBA forward would fit into a different scheme. Siakam would enter unrestricted free agency the following offseason if he wasn’t signed to a long-term contract during the summer, so there was a cost to patience, but the front office insisted that more time was needed to assess the situation.
As the season enters its thirtyth game, Toronto’s circumstances are starting to become more apparent. The Raptors haven’t exactly been successful this season, but when accounting for minutes played, Siakam’s numbers are nearly equal to those from any of the previous four seasons. In addition, it doesn’t seem like Siakam is the Raptors’ main issue.
However, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet noted, the Raptors are not currently planning to extend Siakam’s contract, and as the end of December draws near, his situation with the team is only going to get more problematic.
There was cause for optimism that Siakam would sign a contract before the end of the month, enabling Toronto to transfer the franchise icon during the following summer. Siakam would not be able to be transferred for six months if he signed a contract before December 30. However, the trade limitations would end in time for the summer.
Siakam has several years left on his contract, so perhaps Toronto could get more for him. It wouldn’t be ideal, and it’s probably not the best way to treat a player of his caliber. Having Siakam under contract allays the fears of interested teams regarding his potential to leave in free agency and at least provides cost security.
A player who may leave in free agency for a half-season of work is not likely to command top dollar, according to Grange’s writing.However, the current absence of extension discussions indicates Toronto is content to let Siakam’s deal expire on February 8th, the trade deadline. OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr., three-fifths of this team’s starting lineup, are both on expiring contracts, so it’s a scary place to be. The Raptors, however, will already be aware of this.
A strategy exists. There is required to be. By not locking up its soon-to-be free agents, Toronto put itself in this situation at the beginning of the season. The management had to be aware that those players would be worth less come trade deadline time; after all, Fred VanVleet’s trade market was surprisingly weak as his Toronto contract came to an end just the previous season.