NBA trade season is nearly upon us.
The Toronto Raptors’ trade for Kawhi Leonard last summer has moved them within a single game of an NBA championship, and it’s now clear that one move can completely change the fortune of a franchise.
For teams that have been stockpiling draft picks and young players, the time to cash in is now.
Pascal Siakam
2018-19 Per-Game Stats: 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.7 blocks, 54.9/36.9/78.5 shooting
A year after averaging just 7.3 points and starting five of his 81 games, Siakam has emerged as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises.
He’s got the size and length (6’9″, 7’3″ wingspan) to swallow up offensive players and finish over opposing centers in the paint. He’s also become of the best corner-shooting big men, knocking down 41.1 percent of his three-pointers from the sides.
Any team that trades for Siakam would get a 25-year-old who already has 35 playoff games under his belt. In 22 starts this postseason heading into Game 5 of the NBA Finals, he’s given the Raptors 19.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per night as a secondary star to Kawhi Leonard.
So, why would Toronto consider parting with him?
If they try to get into the Anthony Davis sweepstakes, he’s the first asset for whom the Pelicans should ask. If Toronto feels it stands a better chance of keeping Leonard in free agency by bringing in a second superstar, Siakam would undoubtedly by the first piece to go.
As he continues to develop his outside game and rim-protecting abilities, Siakam could become a multi-time All-Star.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
2018-19 Per-Game Stats: 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 47.6/36.7/80.0 shooting
Despite staying on the board until No. 11 in the 2018 NBA draft, Gilgeous-Alexander was the sixth-best rookie in the league this season.
Barely missing out on first-team All-Rookie honours, Gilgeous-Alexander followed up a sparkling regular season with an even better playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Despite being matched up in a battle with Stephen Curry, the first-year point guard helped push the series to six games by averaging 13.7 points while shooting 50.0 percent from deep.
He’s got a great size for his position (6’6″, 181 pounds) and can finish over and around taller defenders in the paint. While he’s not the fastest end-to-end guard in the league, he only turned the ball over 1.7 times per night while playing in all 82 games.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported Gilgeous-Alexander is “off the table” in trade talks for Davis, but this could simply be a smokescreen from the organization. Still just 20 years old, he could be the cornerstone of a trade for the Pelicans big man or continue to become the Clippers’ franchise point guard.
Brandon Ingram
2018-19 Per-Game Stats: 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 blocks, 49.7/33.0/67.5 shooting
Although a blood clot in his right shoulder ended Ingram’s season prematurely, the Lakers expect him to be fine moving forward. And if that is indeed the case, the 21-year-old deserves to be high on this list.
Already a talented scorer with an incredible 7’3″ wingspan, Ingram proved his chops when LeBron James was sidelined with a groin injury last season. Before he was shut down on March 3, he averaged 27.8 points on 57.0 percent shooting from the field and 52.9 percent from three over his final six games.
Despite coming into the league one year before Kyle Kuzma, Ingram is over two years younger and won’t turn 22 until Sept. 2.
The No. 2 pick of the 2016 draft, Ingram seems ready for a larger role and should be a 20-plus-point scorer for the next decade.
Jayson Tatum
2018-19 Per-Game Stats: 15.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 45.0/37.3/85.5 shooting
Tatum has all the tools to be a star…if he’s not one already.
While the Lakers can offer the better overall package for Anthony Davis, Tatum trumps any single asset they possess.
He’s a 21-year-old Kobe Bryant disciple who can play three different positions and score from all areas of the court. He has a tendency to fall in love with his mid-range game in spurts, but his footwork and three-point shooting should lead to a devastating offensive game with better shot selection.
With small forwards dominating the NBA (LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo), Tatum could reach the level right below those guys and become a perennial All-Star if put into the right role.
Whether he plays in Boston or New Orleans next season, look for Tatum to make a major leap forward.
The Big Baller Blog 