NBA Rumors: Nuggets Could Get Pascal Siakam For Package Centered On Michael Porter Jr. In Proposed Blockbuster

In his latest piece, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report dropped a list of realistic superstar trades that people would never see coming before the 2021 trade deadline. These include the hypothetical blockbuster deal that would enable Siakam to join forces with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in the 2020-21 NBA season. In the proposed trade scenario, the Nuggets would be sending a package that includes Michael Porter Jr., R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris, and a 2021 first-round pick to the Raptors in exchange for Siakam.

Trading Porter Jr. would be a difficult decision for the Nuggets, but it would be worth it if it means acquiring a player of Siakam's caliber. As Buckley noted, the potential deal that would send Siakam to Denver would allow the Nuggets to create a "championship-caliber Big Three" with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray without gutting their supporting cast. Siakam may also need the ball in his hands to excel on the court but with the years he spent with the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry, and DeMar DeRozan in Toronto, he has learned how to effectively play alongside other superstars in the league.

Siakam would still need to make certain adjustments in his game to make himself fit in Denver. However, once he familiarizes himself with Coach Michael Malone's system, Siakam would bring a significant improvement in their performance on both ends of the floor. Siakam would give the Nuggets a very reliable third scoring option behind Jokic and Murray, as well as a great rebounder, on-court facilitator, floor-spacer, and defensive specialist. This season, the 26-year-old power forward is averaging 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from the three-point range, per ESPN.

The proposed deal should be a no-brainer for the Raptors, especially if they finally decide to blow it up and undergo a rebuilding process. By sending Siakam to Mile High City, they would be receiving two young and promising talents in Porter Jr. and Hampton and a future draft asset that would help them speed up the rebuilding process. MPJ would be the biggest prize that the Raptors would be getting in the suggested trade. Compared to Siakam, Porter Jr. looks more capable of assuming the role as the next face of the Raptors' franchise. Porter Jr., together with Hampton, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby, could lead the core group that would try to bring the second Larry O'Brien Trophy to Toronto.