NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets in talks with Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam
As per recent NBA rumors, the Brooklyn Nets have kept their eye on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. With HoopsHype's Michael A. Scotto shedding light on the situation, we take a look at the potential deal between the two teams.
The Nets have already made a huge splash ahead of the trade deadline by trading Kyrie Irving. After a rather unpredictable series of events, Brooklyn managed to move Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, and a handful of picks.
However, Brooklyn is supposedly far from being done with making trades.
Since the Irving trade, concerns regarding Kevin Durant's desire to stay with the Nets have risen. With rumors linking Durant to the Phoenix Suns again, the Nets' front office is in a troublesome situation that needs to be salvaged quickly.
One solution to solving some of their roster problems has been to pursue trade options to bolster their overall roster strength. In this regard, the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a viable trading option.
The Raptors have garnered a lot of attention in the trade market this season. Considering the team's poor performances this season, several teams around the NBA have been inquiring about the availability of players on their roster.
While Scottie Barnes has been kept out of trade negotiations for the most part, Toronto has made virtually all of its players available for trade. In this regard, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam have garnered attention from Brooklyn.
The Nets and Raptors were linked together in trade talks involving Kevin Durant in the offseason as well. Now, days before the trade deadline, the primary asset involved appears to be Raptors forward Pascal Siakam.
As per HoopsHype's Michael A. Scotto:
"The Brooklyn Nets have expressed interest in trading for Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, league sources told HoopsHype. Brooklyn’s interest in Siakam was first reported by Marc Stein."
He added:
"Toronto covets Nets starting center Nic Claxton and has expressed interest in acquiring him in trade discussions with Brooklyn, league sources told HoopsHype."
Story: The Nets have expressed interest in Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, as @TheSteinLine first reported. Toronto covets Nic Claxton in trade talks, while Ben Simmons and draft pick compensation have also been discussed, league sources told @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/2023/02/06/sou…
Scotto's mention of Nets center Nic Claxton is interesting. Claxton has been a tremendous defensive presence for the team this season. Toronto may be required to give up a lot if they make an attempt to pry him away from Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, talks of a trade with the Raptors also saw Nets star Ben Simmons involved. However, there appears to be decreasing interest from Toronto's end in Simmons as he fails to match up with Scottie Barnes.
Read: NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors have held talks with multiple teams involving OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam
The Brooklyn Nets could benefit from trading for Pascal Siakam
The Brooklyn Nets are currently in a state of disarray. With Kyrie Irving on the way out, the Nets are apparently now fighting to keep a stable enough roster to convince Kevin Durant to stay.
To do this, the Nets will be required to build a roster that can compete. In this regard, a move for Pascal Siakam would be quite solid.
Siakam, who is turning 29 this year, is averaging 24.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game this season. As a star-caliber player, he also shows immense value on both sides of the floor.
His length also allows him to switch between multiple positions in the frontcourt. Overall, Siakam's versatility could be hugely beneficial to Brooklyn.
Additional rumors also suggest that the Brooklyn Nets are planning to flip Dinwiddie and some picks for Fred VanVleet. In this regard, the Nets and Raptors could be looking at a blockbuster deal.
With lots of options on the table, Brooklyn will have to negotiate their trade demands and cater their package quite carefully to bolster their lineup.
Read: Brooklyn Nets Trade Rumors: OG Anunoby is on radar for Brooklyn Nets