The Hawks have been the most connected club to Pascal Siakam. It’s been confirmed by insiders all over the league.
Recently, Shams Charania revealed the offer for the Raptors has centered around De’Andre Hunter, A.J. Griffin, and draft compensation.
“Atlanta has offered a package centered around De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin and draft compensation to Toronto for Siakam, league sources say. But the Raptors are believed to have upped the price on any possible deal at each turn,” Charania reported.
In that same piece for The Athletic, Charania added that trade discussions were at a complete pause, noting that the Hawks regime is fully content entering the upcoming campaign with the roster as it’s currently constructed.
“For now, talks are at a complete pause, and the Hawks are fully prepared to enter the 2023-24 season with their current team, according to league sources. For now, Siakam is a Raptor, and even without an extension, he could very well remain one through the trade deadline.”
Shams also included in that piece that Pascal Siakam is still unwilling to sign an extension with the team that acquires him.
“… the external market has been tempered a bit due to the fact that it’s been made clear, league sources say, that Siakam would not extend with a team that trades for him.”
That’s all old news, but it’s been so long that I figured a refresher couldn’t hurt. There is a new report, though. According to Hoops Hype, the Hawks were unwilling to part ways with rookie guard Kobe Bufkin, who was reportedly a candidate for the Raptors at the 13th pick, but they ultimately went with Gradey Dick.
The Michigan product projects as a well-rounded combo guard who can play on and off the ball while contributing on the defensive end of the court. Coming out of college, he was heralded for his basketball IQ, but his Hawks debut went about as poorly as it could have during Summer League.
Through five games in the Las Vegas Summer League, Kobe Bufkin averaged 14 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game on very inefficient shooting — 33.3% from the field and 13.8% from beyond the arc. What’s even more concerning was the 4.6 turnovers and 3.4 fouls per game.
I’m not quite sure about the obsession with Kobe Bufkin. Maybe, the request was an “‘in addition to” and not “instead of” scenario. If you add Bufkin to that offer of Hunter, Griffin, and first-round picks; I’d probably hesitate too.
That’s a lot of compensation for a potential one-year rental. Nevertheless, it’s good to see the new regime has a line they’re not willing to cross.
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Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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