Grade the trade: Lakers add Pascal Siakam at deadline in proposed deal
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers trade package for Pascal Siakam:
As mentioned, this trade would have to happen at the deadline. Not only would his value be lower at that point in time but the Lakers physically couldn’t make this trade any sooner because of different exceptions on recently signed/drafted players.
It would take some bigger names going back to Toronto in the process but LA does have the means to make a deal work financially for Siakam.
From just a money perspective, the Lakers could package Russell and Rui Hachimura to make this deal work. However, Toronto is likely going to ask for at least one young player with potential in return and that player is Jalen Hood-Schifino.
Lakers fans are already buying Hood-Schfino stock and that is natural for a player that was just drafted. But the Lakes are trying to win now and Hood-Schifino is raw and likely won’t be a full-time rotation player until year two (at the earliest). Like with Talen Horton-Tucker, the timeline doesn’t fully match up.
Otto Porter is also sent back in the deal as he does not really have a place in the Raptors’ rotation but could add some shooting off the bench for LA. This keeps Toronto’s roster from being too overcrowded and gives the Lakers some depth in return.
This would be a big trade and typically when picks and young players are being traded the natural inclination for a Lakers fan is to instantly reject the idea. Let’s dive into the grades and work out whether or not this would be a good trade.