After a breakout year that earned him the Most Improved Player Award of the 2018-19 season, Pascal Siakam is looking to sign a maximum contract extension with the Toronto Raptors, according to Shams Charania from The Athletic.
“Raptor’s rising star Pascal Siakam is seeking a maximum contract extension in discussions with the Raptors, league sources said; otherwise preparing for a 2020 free agency market that would have the restricted free agent as a top player available”
Siakam is getting to the final year of his rookie contract which he signed in 2016 when he was drafted with the 27th pick overall by the Raptors, the new deal would give a total of $170 Million in a span of five years. Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray are two players from the same draft that have already signed a max contract extension with their respective teams.
After losing Kawhi Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers, the team lost its franchise star, a spot that should be taken by Siakam now that the offense will focus on him. According to Charania, team executives in the league believe that Siakam “will make another jump” now that Leonard is gone and Siakam has the ball in his hands more times than last season.
Last season, Siakam played for 80 games and averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 31.9 minutes per game while shooting 36.9% from the three-point line.
