Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Pascal Siakam On the Trade Deadline & Potentially Being an All-Star Replacement
Pascal Siakam has said it all before. He's been through a half dozen trade deadlines by now and at this point, he's hardly even paying attention.
"What noise?" he responded Tuesday following practice when asked how he's feeling about the constant chatter surrounding the Toronto Raptors heading into Thursday's trade deadline.
It's a response that feels genuine with an ounce of frustration. Siakam has been asked all these questions before. On one hand, he's the face of the franchise in Toronto and his opinion on the deadline matters, regardless of how he feels. On the other, he's just solely locked into what he can control that anything else seems almost irrelevant.
"I never know what’s happening," he continued as an unusually large group or reporters gathered around. "At the end of the day, we know what it is. What’s the point of us coming here and talking every f***ing – ah, sorry – every deadline? We know that’s going to happen, it is what it is and whatever happens happens."
Players of Siakam's caliber tend to hold some sway over trade talks and organization directions and there's little doubt he's a little more aware than he's leading on. At the same time, though, he's made it clear publicly that he doesn't want to be involved in team decisions.
What should the Raptors do at the deadline, one reporter asked him.
"Not my job, brother. Not my job," he quips.
But changes are coming for Toronto. Fred VanVleet's name has begun popping up in an increasing number of reports as he heads into unrestricted free agency. Gary Trent Jr. is widely believed to be among Toronto's most available players. O.G. Anunoby could bring back a haul if the Raptors do make the 25-year-old available. Even Siakam himself has had his name mentioned, albeit briefly, in trade rumors.
"I’m at a point in my career where it really doesn’t matter unless I feel like there’s some things going on," he said. "Now that we’re in a league where if I’m unhappy there’s things that can happen. But other than that, I’m doing my job every single day.
"At the end of the day, I understand being here, Year 7 for me, it’s a business and I get it. I’ve seen people go, I’ve seen people get here, so nothing surprises me. I don’t look for anything until my phone actually rings."
All-Star Game Chatter
It's unclear if the Kyrie Irving trade will have an impact on the All-Star Game considering he was tabbed to be a starter representing the Eastern Conference but now plays in the West. If he is replaced or someone else goes down with an injury, Siakam would be an obvious choice to step in should he be interested.
"That’s definitely not something I’m thinking about. I think All-Star is kinda like gone in my head now," he said.
Considering he's leading the league in minutes played per game this season, Siakam said some time off on a warm beach somewhere would be "awesome."
Further Reading
Report: Raptors unlikely to move Pascal Siakam despite widespread interest
Raptors end road trip on a high but changes loom as Toronto returns home
Report: Nets have reached out to Raptors with trade interest
