An NBA writer proposes that the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors make a trade centered on Pascal Siakam and RJ Barrett.
Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed that the Knicks trade Barrett and Quentin Grimes to the Raptors for Siakam.
“Siakam and Julius Randle would make one of the best frontcourt duos in the NBA, with Jalen Brunson pulling the strings from the backcourt,” Bitar wrote. “Siakam and Randle can both push up the field, rebound and defend while competing on offense as inside finishers and decent outside shooters as well. Getting Siakam out of Toronto won’t be easy, as it would require a mix of players including 23-year-old Barrett and 23-year-old Grimes”.
Siakam signed a four-year, $136 million rookie contract extension with the Raptors in October 2019. He will earn $37.9 million next season. The NBA champion has career averages of 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He won the 2019 title and the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year award.
The Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The lefty averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season while shooting 43.4% overall, the 31.0% from 3 and 74.0% from the free throw line. Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Knicks in September 2022.