Report: Kings expected to be suitor for Pascal Siakam

As chatter surrounding whether or not the Sacramento Kings need to make a move this season grows, a new report indicates that the ‘Beam Team’ is kicking tires around the NBA trade market.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Sacramento is an expected suitor for Toronto Raptors star forward Pascal Siakam, who is more likely to be moved this winter rather than defensive wing OG Anunoby.

While Anunoby has been the ideal trade candidate for Kings fans, Charania reports that Sikam is more likely to be moved as the two-time All-Star runs through the final year of his four-year, $136 million extension.

Teams such as the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers are expected suitors for Siakam or Anunoby but believe Siakam appears to be the likelier player to be dealt, league sources tell The Athletic.

Siakam, 29, is earning $37.9 million in the last year of his Raptors contract this season, while Anunoby, 26, has a $19.9 million player option for next season that he will almost assuredly decline to enter free agency.

For the Kings, a better start to this season than a year ago (12-8 this season compared to 11-9 last season en route to a 48-win campaign) provides confidence that they can grow internally rather than compete for the expected cost of talents such as Siakam and Anunoby.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania – December 11, 2023

• Latest around two intriguing trade market teams: Raptors, Bulls

• Update on the Clippers and PJ Tucker

• Grizzlies’ Ja Morant nears season debut

• Lakers’ Gabe Vincent sets target return

And much more in a brand new Inside Pass at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/fdzEuRWNTq

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 11, 2023

More on the Kings’ interest in Pascal Siakam

Sacramento is in the market for a defensive forward, and it’s no secret that the Raptors have two players that could shape this year’s NBA trade deadline.

Siakam and Anunoby have been on the Kings’ radar for some time now, but it looks as if Toronto is inching closer to trading one or both of its talented wings.

There will be no shortage of competition regarding trade offers, but you can expect that general manager Monte McNair will check in with Raptors president Masai Ujiri often as we move closer to February 8th’s trade deadline.

Siakam, who is currently making $37.8 million in the final year of his contract, would be the defensive difference-maker that the Kings have been looking for. The 29-year old stands at 6’8, 230 pounds with an incredible 7’3 wingspan.

During his NBA career, Siakam has been named to two All-NBA teams and two All-Star teams, won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award (2018-19), and helped win the 2019 NBA Finals.

Siakam has struggled from three-point land this season (career-worst 20% from 3PT), but is still averaging 20.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 0.7 steals per game on 50 percent shooting from the field.

Sacramento has longed for a difference maker on the defensive end, and it’s possible that McNair will look to put a package together that will pique Ujiri’s interest.

While Siakam could be the lone forward made available by Toronto this winter, it’s also possible that McNair takes a similar stance to last season and stands pat with this current group.

Charania ends his report about the Kings by stating that Sacramento could look to grow internally rather than get involved in a bidding war for Siakam. That would fall in line with McNair’s previous thought process, as the reigning NBA Executive of the Year has made it clear that he is taking a protective approach with this current roster.

Of course, at some point, push will come to shove and McNair will have to roll the dice on a move that can take the Kings from being a playoff contender to a championship contender.

While that roll of the dice might not end with Sikam or Anunoby lighting the beam this spring, you have to wonder when that move might come.

Any trade for a player like Siakam will likely have to include Harrison Barnes and his $17 million salary (cannot be traded until December 29th), along with another player like Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles, or Keegan Murray, who McNair and the Kings will not move. Those are some noteworthy names, meaning an important question will need to be answered:

Is it time to break up the inaugural ‘Beam Team’ and shake things up?

It might be too soon to tell, as Sacramento is currently 12-8 (6th in the Western Conference) and has won 10 of their past 14 games. One bad week can change things in the NBA standings, but the Kings look like a contender early in the season.

If we have learned anything from this report, it’s that McNair and the Sacramento front office are certainly paying attention to the rest of the league. Now, we must wait and see what position the Kings are in come February before looking at potential blockbuster deals.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will return home on Monday night for a matchup against Mikal Bridges and the Brooklyn Nets at Golden 1 Center.

The Kings’ matchup against the Nets will be just their second game against an Eastern Conference team this season (Cleveland on November 13th).

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Nets coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Upcoming Schedule

• Monday, December 11th – Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets – 7:00 PM PST
• Tuesday, December 12th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers – 7:30 PM PST
• Thursday, December 14th – Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – 7:00 PM PST
• Saturday, December 16th – Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz – 7:00 PM PST
• Monday, December 18th – Sacramento Kings vs. Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PST

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