Hawks Continue Pursuit of Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, Offer De’Andre Hunter, AJ Griffin

It appears as if the Hawks aren’t giving up on the idea of acquiring Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, believed to be available.

And if he’s not available, well, the Hawks seemingly hope to change all that.

One of Atlanta’s offers for Siakam involved forward De’Andre Hunter, guard/forward AJ Griffin and draft compensation, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. That said, the Raptors have rebuffed the Hawks to this point, and as Charania noted, are increasing their demands for Siakam.

While Siakam has not requested a trade out of Toronto, the sides appear to be getting nowhere on a contract extension. Siakam, 29, is entering the final year of a contract that reportedly will pay him close to $39 million.

That very contract situation could be what’s holding up a potential trade — and why rival teams such as the Hawks aren’t willing to give up too much. Per Charania, Siakam has expressed a desire to remain with the Raptors and may be unwilling to sign with any team that acquires him.

In other words, Raptors president Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster have some work ahead when it comes to what happens next with Siakam. But clearly, if they run into a dead end, the Hawks very clearly will offer to help them out.

“This will be Siakam’s eighth NBA season, so he can sign for 30 percent of the salary cap either now via extension or next offseason as a free agent with the Raptors or any other franchise,” Charania wrote. “The Raptors are eligible to sign Siakam to a maximum contract extension of four years and at least $192 million. Thus far, there have been no substantive conversations surrounding an extension.”

? The Toronto Raptors crossroads with Pascal Siakam – plus the offer that’s come closest for the two-time All-Star

? Where things stand with Damian Lillard and James Harden

? Inside Pass at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/GlR01paqV2

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 8, 2023