Throughout the offseason, the Orlando Magic have been tagged as one of the key team suitors for Pascal Siakam.
But according to league insider Marc Stein on his recent Substack posting, these rumors about the club being a potential landing spot for the star forward have been “downplayed” ever since.
“Orlando was downplayed as a destination almost as soon as it emerged as a reported destination,” Stein wrote. “I am still trying to find out more.”
With the Toronto Raptors being monitored as a team that may likely cut their ties with Siakam following the exit of Fred VanVleet in the free agency, the likes of the Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks were also heavily linked up towards the pursuit of the Cameroonian cager.
Added to the fact that there’s a new coaching regime up north in Darko Rajakovic, the trade speculations for Siakam may even further intensify once the Raps’ record suddenly slides down next season.
As such, Toronto still has until midseason of 2023-24 to assess and squeeze the value of the All-NBA wing. Siakam, who boasts his versatile frame and reliable offensive production, is off from a career year wherein he averaged a career-best 24.2 points to go with 7.8 boards, and 5.8 assists in 71 games last regular season.
For now, it appears that the Raptors won’t show any signs of finally entering a rebuilding phase. But should the markings become clear next year that they should have to, Siakam is just anticipated to pack his bag and leave amid the circumstances.
