Pascal Siakam Trade Rumors: Warriors, Raptors 'Have Discussed' Deal in 'Recent Weeks'
The Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors "have discussed" a trade involving Pascal Siakam "in recent weeks," according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
The Athletic floated a proposed trade that sent Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga and first-round picks in 2026 and 2028 to Toronto for the two-time All-Star.
"I'd wager the Warriors view that proposal—Kuminga, two firsts and a valuable expiring salary —as too steep," he wrote.
Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reported on Jan. 5 that some people around the NBA considered the Warriors an outside contender to acquire Siakam ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Maybe the championship window has well and truly closed for Golden State. Every dynasty comes to an end eventually. But the benefits of adding a player who's averaging 22.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists are obvious. He'd especially help a team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating (116.9), per NBA.com.
Trading Kuminga would also offer a solution to a problem that presented itself when Slater and Shams Charania reported for The Athletic the 21-year-old "no longer believes (head coach Steve) Kerr will allow him to reach his full potential."
But this may be the point at which the front office decides it can't keep mortgaging the future. It's perhaps telling in that regard how Kerr already made an effort to placate Kuminga and get the 6'7" forward on the court more.
There's plenty of risk in landing Siakam thanks to his contract status, too. The 29-year-old could walk as a free agent in the offseason while signing him to the deal he reportedly desires could test even governor Joe Lacob's financial limits. Golden State is looking at an estimated $186.3 million luxury tax bill for this season.
If the Warriors are going to take one more big swing like this to win another title with Stephen Curry, waiting until the offseason might be the sensible call given all of the factors at play. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. would have more time to navigate around the ensuing fallout and retool the roster.
