Following the departure of OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam has emerged as the next likely candidate to be moved by the Toronto Raptors, becoming one of the hottest names in NBA trade talks. Crickex Affiliate analysts report that multiple teams have expressed interest in the versatile forward, but whether he will agree to a contract extension with a new team remains up in the air. If there’s such a thing as a miracle in this league, it’s just another name for hard work—and right now, Siakam holds the cards.

With Fred VanVleet and Anunoby already gone, the Raptors’ rebuild appears to be in full swing. However, their stance on Siakam is puzzling. His current contract expires at the end of this season, and if he doesn’t receive a max extension from Toronto, he’s reportedly inclined to play out the remainder of the year and test free agency. That gives him strong leverage. Previously, reports indicated that Siakam is unwilling to sign an extension with any team that trades for him, choosing instead to hit the open market where he can explore all options. This makes trading for him a risky move—interested teams may only get him for a half-season rental. While his new team would hold Bird rights and the ability to offer him a max deal, few are willing to gamble with that uncertainty.

Despite the risks, teams continue to circle. Among them, the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, and Dallas Mavericks have shown varying degrees of interest. The Hawks appear most committed, with reports suggesting they’re leading the pack. Toronto might value players like De’Andre Hunter and AJ Griffin in return, though Atlanta seems hesitant to part with them. Dallas, on the other hand, has proposed a package including Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes, Josh Green, and a first-round pick. Yet league insiders believe the Mavericks’ enthusiasm for Siakam has been overstated—they aren’t necessarily all-in. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have floated Tobias Harris as the central piece of a deal. But the Raptors are unlikely to be satisfied with that offer, especially considering Harris’ superior three-point shooting and Philly’s current team chemistry, which gives them little incentive to shake things up for a third scoring option.

Now the spotlight turns to two of the NBA’s biggest market teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers are rumored to be considering a deal involving Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt, while the Warriors have explored a package of Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Moses Moody, and a first-round pick. As the saying goes, you have to walk the hard road to reach the life you want—but in both proposed trades, there’s a catch. Both Looney and Reaves are considered untouchable by their respective teams, which seriously weakens the appeal of any deal. Without those core assets, the Raptors see little value in the offers.

Toronto is in no rush to make a decision. With Scottie Barnes now firmly positioned as the franchise centerpiece and recent additions like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley still finding their rhythm, the Raptors want time to assess how the new roster gels. There’s even a slim possibility they could extend Siakam rather than trade him.

That explains why the Raptors are demanding a steep price in trade talks—likely more than what they realistically expect. Most teams recognize this and are treating negotiations with caution. Some paths you must walk alone—not because you’re isolated, but because it’s your choice. In the end, Siakam’s trade saga could stretch beyond this season’s deadline. Crickex Affiliate experts believe Toronto will wait until the season concludes, when their direction is clearer and market value more defined, before seriously evaluating trade offers.