Raptors Hold Talks With Forward, Deal Not Imminent: Report

Pascal Siakam is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2019-20 having been drafted by Toronto Raptors as the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The power forward has until Oct. 21 to sign an extension that will see him remain in Canada for the foreseeable future but for that to happen a deal has to be forthcoming from the franchise.

According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN, preliminary talks have been held between Siakam and his representatives and the Raptors franchise but a deal is not “imminent”. It is believed that the forward’s representatives are seeking a max deal worth $130 million over four years and it is unclear what the Raptors’ understanding is of the demand.

The franchise can opt not to offer Siakam an extension and allow him to test free agency next summer. He will become a restricted free agent once his rookie contract ends, which means the Raptors can match any offer he receives from other interested teams.

Siakam is coming out of a breakthrough season in 2018-19 when he established himself as one of the key members of the title-winning Raptors franchise. He finished the regular season with a career-high 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game which earned him the Most Improved Player award in 2019.

The forward, however, came to the fore in the post season and became the second scoring option on the team, behind 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. He averaged 19.0 points and 7.1 rebounds in the playoffs as the Raptors went on to beat the Golden State Warriors to win their first-ever NBA championship.

Siakam will now have the opportunity to become the face of the franchise after Leonard left to join Los Angeles Clippers in free agency. The Raptors can choose to see if he continues his form into the 2019-20 campaign before giving him a new deal, but there is a chance that could backfire as one Eastern Conference executive suggested.

“If Siakam doesn't get extended, he would enter the market next summer where a few teams will have cap space and there isn’t much of a free-agent class. ...If they don't pay Siakam, someone else will—especially in that 2020 market. Restricted free agency is a blessing and a curse because you won’t lose your guy, but it can create bad feelings,” the executive said, as quoted on Bleacher Report.