Warriors, 76ers, Mavs’ Top Targets After Pascal Siakam Traded to Pacers from Raptors

Warriors, 76ers, Mavs’ Top Targets After Pascal Siakam Traded to Pacers from Raptors0 of 3

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With several high-profile teams linked to Pascal Siakam in recent months, no one expected the Indiana Pacers to swoop in and make a play for the All-Star forward.

Little did they know the Pacers were moving in silence all along.

Indiana sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, a blockbuster first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Siakam will be a free agent this summer, so the Pacers are making a huge bet that their culture and playing with Tyrese Haliburton will make Siakam want to stay long-term.

As for the teams that were regularly linked to Siakam in recent months, well, they’re all back to the drawing board.

Here’s a look at what a few of them might do now ahead of next month’s deadline.

Golden State Warriors1 of 3

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The Warriors have been struggling for answers all season, with their on-court play and team chemistry creating major question marks. Klay Thompson has spent the season looking like a shell of himself, and Draymond Green just returned from a lengthy suspension caused by repeated acts of on-court violence.

With Chris Paul also out of the lineup with a fractured hand, the Warriors’ needs are many and their avenues to improve are minimal.

Here are a few names that could move the needle if the front office is ready to make a seismic change:

Jerami Grant, SF, Portland Trail Blazers: Grant would provide what Andrew Wiggins has not been able to: defense and floor spacing. He’s shooting 41.1 percent from three-point range this season despite Damian Lillard’s offseason trade to Milwaukee, indicating last year’s uptick in efficiency wasn’t a fluke. The Warriors would have to make a significant monetary commitment to acquire Grant, as he’s in the first season of a five-year, $160 million deal, but adding him would be a win-now move and potentially allow the franchise to move on from a disappointing Wiggins.Kyle Kuzma, PF, Washington Wizards: Kuzma could be a lesser version of Grant at a much smaller cost. While Kuzma’s four-year, $90 million deal isn’t cheap, it declines in value each season, which could help the Warriors’ massive tax bill. Kuzma does not provide the same rugged defense as Grant and his at-times knuckleheaded shot attempts could frustrate coach Steve Kerr, but he does have a championship ring.Zach LaVine, SG, Chicago Bulls: If the Warriors are willing to send Thompson packing, LaVine might be the answer. LaVine is a significantly better player than Thompson at this point in their respective careers, and the Bulls are likely motivated to get out from under the remainder of his five-year, $215.2 million deal.Philadelphia 76ers2 of 3

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The Philadelphia 76ers have a finite window of financial flexibility. Tyrese Maxey has earned the max contract coming to him this summer, and Philadelphia’s ability to get better essentially evaporates the moment it’s signed.

Maxey has played ball—literally and figuratively—in remaining patient and waiting until the summer to sign his new deal. The Sixers need to work with a sense of urgency to find a true third star next to Maxey and Joel Embiid.

With several expiring contracts in president of basketball operations Daryl Morey’s chamber, here’s a look at potential targets.

Dejounte Murray, SG, Atlanta Hawks: Murray is a near-perfect fit in the backcourt next to Maxey. He’s a stellar perimeter defender with the length and IQ to switch well and is knocking down 38.6 percent of his shots from three-point range. The Sixers could use him as a secondary ball-handler or have him run the offense, essentially melding De’Anthony Melton and Patrick Beverley into one player. Murray’s four-year, $114 million extension is also reasonable and could give Morey more flexibility to maneuver under the tax.Zach LaVine, SG, Chicago Bulls: LaVine is also a natural fit next to Maxey, but he’s a more expensive option and doesn’t play much defense. The ceiling for LaVine as an offensive player far outshines Murray, but the Sixers already have Embiid and Maxey to co-lead the offense. There is a natural fit here, and LaVine increases the Sixers’ championship odds, but he should be a backup plan.Tyus Jones, PG, Washington Wizards: If Morey wants to punt the major decisions into the offseason, then Jones makes some sense. Jones would fit in as a natural backup behind Maxey, and he’s a steady, high-IQ hand who can guide the second unit. More importantly, he’s on an expiring contract, so the Sixers would not have any ties to him beyond the end of this season. Dallas Mavericks3 of 3

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The Mavericks might have been the biggest loser of the Siakam sweepstakes, as the two best players on the market are guards and Dallas already has its lead ball-handlers in Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.

Siakam was the biggest difference-maker available to fill the glaring hole at Dallas’ 4 spot, so things might get a little quiet for the Mavs around the deadline. If they do make a move, here are a couple of targets:

Jerami Grant, SF, Portland Trail Blazers: Grant is a lesser version of Siakam in nearly every fashion but is a more reliable perimeter defender. That could make him a decent fit next to Irving and Doncic if the front office is willing to swallow the remainder of his contract. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Golden State Warriors: If the Warriors somehow wind up landing Grant ahead of the deadline, then the Mavs could join the trade and take on Wiggins. It’s hard to see many positives in paying Wiggins the remainder of his four-year, $109 million contract, but he did benefit from a change of scenery upon his arrival in Golden State. Maybe he just needs a change.