Atlanta Hawks

Report: Hawks are strongest suitors for Pascal Siakam, offered De’Andre Hunter, A.J. Griffin and draft compensation to Raptors

Published by
Jason Simpson

Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam is currently set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, which is one reason why he’s been seen as a trade candidate lately.

According to a report, the Atlanta Hawks have been the strongest suitors for the 29-year-old and offered a package centered around De’Andre Hunter, A.J. Griffin and draft compensation.

But it doesn’t sound like the Raptors are anxious to move Siakam, and they may very well head into the regular season with the same roster they currently have.

“Several teams have shown interest in pursuing Siakam via trade over the past three months, but the external market has been tempered a bit due to the fact that it’s been made clear, league sources say, that Siakam would not extend with a team that trades for him,” wrote Shams Charania of The Athletic. “Still, the Atlanta Hawks have been the strongest suitor for Siakam, and talks between them and Toronto were fluid and ongoing as recently as Las Vegas Summer League in July.

 

“Atlanta has offered a package centered around De’Andre Hunter, A.J. Griffin and draft compensation to Toronto for Siakam, league sources say. But the Raptors are believed to have upped the price on any possible deal at each turn.

 

“For now, talks are at a complete pause, and the Hawks are fully prepared to enter the 2023-24 season with their current team, according to league sources. For now, Siakam is a Raptor, and even without an extension, he could very well remain one through the trade deadline.”

Siakam has spent his entire career with the Raptors so far, and it doesn’t seem like he wants to leave. The fact that he wouldn’t sign an extension with a team that trades for him has to be a major deterrent for many clubs around the NBA.

The Raptors picked up Siakam with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Since then, he’s developed into a two-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection.

He also won Most Improved Player honors in the 2018-19 season, the same year that he helped the Raptors win the NBA Finals. He was a key player during their run to the title, averaging 19.0 points, 7.1 boards and 2.8 assists per contest across 24 playoff games.

In the 2022-23 campaign, he had one of the best seasons of his career by averaging 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. He shot 48.0 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Siakam’s growth — as a playmaker, 3-point shooter and elsewhere — has turned him into a very valuable NBA player.

Unfortunately for the Raptors, they haven’t enjoyed much success since their NBA title in 2019. They’ve won just one playoff series since then and missed the playoffs twice. Toronto has a lot of talented pieces in place, but if the team doesn’t take a step forward in the upcoming season, it may be time to make some changes.

Jason Simpson

Jason is a copy writer and editor with experience covering professional sports and current events. He is excited about being a part of the Ahn Fire Digital team.

Published by
Jason Simpson

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

6 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago