Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam contract extension fair for both sides
The Toronto Raptors got important business out of the way ahead of their season openers signing Siakam to a four-year max contract.
The Toronto Raptors secured a big part of their future with news coming down that they have agreed to a four-year max deal worth $130 million with Pascal Siakam.
We knew both sides were working towards an extension before the Oct. 21st deadline for players from the 2016 NBA draft. It made sense for the Raptors to get this out of the way before the season and have the peace of mind knowing what they have to build with going forward.
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Sure, the 25-year-old could have been eligible for a five-year $170 million max deal but when you consider how he didn’t start playing basketball until he was 18 years old, it’s hard to turn down the guarantee that was right in front of him.
When Toronto drafted Siakam 27th overall back in 2016, it was tough to imagine the New Mexico State product to take the climb he has winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award and playing a pivotal role in the Raptors championship run last season.
Sure this is a lot of money to commit to a player who is entering his fourth season in the NBA but they have seen the emergence from Siakam after he spent time in the G League where he was named the Finals MVP. He has certainly found ways to improve his game spending time working with elite players like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard and you can see that there has been a rapid improvement.
Pascal Siakam is one of the most rapidly improving players in the NBA.
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) October 19, 2019
2016-17: 4.2 PPG on 50.5 eFG%
2017-18: 7.3 PPG on 53.7 eFG%
2018-19: 16.9 PPG on 59.1 eFG%
Raptors just made a 4-year, $130M bet that he will continue to progress. pic.twitter.com/3ix0bJlU1C
This is a player who the Raptors expect to lead the new wave with other young players like OG Anunoby and Fred VanVleet. Getting Siakam signed now also provides the team with some clarity on what they will be able to spend down the road.
Surely, they will want to look at what options are available in 2021 considering Kyle Lowry‘s deal will be up. It also ensures that another team doesn’t try to sign Siakam to an offer sheet which is something any team has to consider when they have a talent like Siakam.
Luckily, for Raptors fans, they don’t have to worry about the possibility of Siakam leaving for at least the next five seasons and maybe this keeps their competitive window open longer.
dark. Next. OG Anunoby, Terance Davis showcase potential
What do you make of the decision to sign Siakam? Can he continue to elevate his game? Let us know in the comments below.