The Toronto Raptors have had a young and promising roster for a little while, but it has yielded inconsistent results.
After finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference during the 2021-22 season, they fell to ninth place this past season while blowing a lead and losing to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament.
There have been rumors that Pascal Siakam, their best player, could be headed out of Canada in some sort of trade this summer.
However, he has indicated that he will not sign a contract extension with any team he gets traded to because he wants to stay in Toronto, according to Mark Stein via NBACentral.
Pascal Siakam is not interested in signing a contract extension with any team that trades for him, per @TheSteinLine
“The All-Star forward has continued to signal an unwillingness to sign an extension with any team that trades for him. Siakam has one year left on his contract… pic.twitter.com/xpZzYaTo1A
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 16, 2023
Siakam was an up-and-coming stud when the Raptors won the 2019 NBA championship, and since then, he has made the All-Star team twice.
Last season, he put up career-high averages in scoring (24.2 points) and assists (5.8 assists) while also contributing 7.8 rebounds a game.
At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, Siakam could be a big piece for another team that is looking to go from good to great.
However, it is possible that his preference to not sign a contract extension if he gets traded could scare some potential suitors out of making an offer for him.
He has one year remaining on his current contract at nearly $38 million, and the Raptors would be better off trading him and getting something in return for him than letting him walk in free agency next summer.
Toronto has already made changes this summer by letting point guard Fred VanVleet walk in free agency, and if they have decided to hit the proverbial reset button, they will need to trade Siakam sooner than later.
NEXT: 3 Teams Named Potential Landing Spots For Raptors Star
