Can Dallas Mavs Afford Trade for Toronto Raptors Star Pascal Siakam?

The Dallas Mavericks have been dynamite to start the 2023-24 season, but adding a versatile third star alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could thrust them into the title-contender conversation.

As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to potentially build on their 6-1 start to the season on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors, perhaps the Dallas front office can build on its momentum from the offseason as well.

The Raptors are currently 3-4 as they make their only visit to American Airlines Center this season, and the future of their current roster is up in the air with star forward Pascal Siakam set to enter unrestricted free agency next summer. Under normal circumstances, the Mavs likely wouldn’t have the pieces to trade for a star player like Siakam, but given that he hasn’t signed a contract extension and could leave the Raptors empty-handed, perhaps there’s a deal that could be made for the 29-year-old NBA champion.

In a proposed trade scenario by Fanspo.com, which is one of the more popular trade machines used by NBA fans everywhere, the Mavs get Siakam in return for Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Jaden Hardy, a 2027 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2025 and 2028.

Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam shoots over Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Mavs should consider doing that deal under two circumstances. The first would be if they are sure that Siakam will sign a long-term contract extension in Dallas to keep them from losing him for nothing in free agency. The second would be if the front office strongly believes Siakam would put the Mavs over the top in terms of being a title contender now and for the foreseeable future.

If Siakam is just going to be a rental, it just wouldn't make sense for Dallas to give up their third-leading scorer and Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Hardaway, two promising young players in Hardy and Prosper, and considerable draft compensation when their current draft-pick stash is already low.

If Dallas did end up trading for Siakam with the package listed above, it could roll out a potential starting lineup of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Grant Williams, Siakam and Dereck Lively II while still having Josh Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Dante Exum, Seth Curry, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell coming off the bench.

It has yet to be determined what Siakam's future in Toronto looks like, but if there's a chance that the two-time All-Star will be moved, Mavs GM Nico Harrison and Raptors GM Masai Ujiri should at least talk about it over dinner before the teams battle at AAC on Wednesday.