Trade & FA 2023-24: Stein-Ingram Trade Inevitable| LAL Want Lebron Back On Any Terms

[KillerLeft]

A note about Siakam ....

In looking back at some of the articles about PS in the past 6 months, one note stood out, which I think we need to consider. He said that he didn't want to be traded, and also said that he would definitely refuse to re-sign with any team who traded for him. That likely was related to his desire for a 35% of cap supermax deal.

Obviously he was trying to force TOR to keep him, which would leave the door open for him to get the deal he wants.

There are several relevant takeaways ....
1 His attitude toward any team that trades for him is a big deal. Has it changed?
2 Contract means a lot to him.
3 Is supermax important enough, all by itself, that it offers a creative avenue to an extend-and-trade? 

Outside of Toronto giving him that amount this summer (if he qualifies), he will first hit 35% eligibility after the 2025-26 season.

If he signs a 2-year deal (extension) this summer (or with a trade), his next contract comes in summer 2026, with him eligible for 35%. So his next 4 years starting this summer would be at 30, 30, 35, 35.
If he signs a 4-year deal this summer, his next contract comes in summer 2028, and his next 4 years starting this summer would be at 30, 30, 30, 30.

Is "we have a way to get you a supermax sooner" a feasible way to land an extend-and-trade with PS, if he's on the trade market?

I believe that is slightly out of date info. I remember the news you're referring to, the obvious motivation at the time being to maintain hope of a supermax from Toronto. 

I don't have time to check around for links right now, and so maybe I'm wrong, but my sense is that his posture has changed since then. My understanding is that he is now resigned to the idea that he's going to be traded, and has leaked that he won't extend. This was stated generally, but my guess is that it was intended as a negotiation-through-the-media response to a specific suitor who was trying what you're suggesting: angling for the extend-and-trade option. 

Past that, there have been recent rumors (I believe) that he has outright said he won't re-sign in ATLANTA, specifically. My interpretation (and some others') is that the other teams negotiating (presumably Philly, Dallas and maybe Sacramento, depending on who you believe) have been purposefully left out of that note, creating the silent implication that he's open to those destinations.

Maybe not, though. I could be way wrong. But, I did see the other day that Dallas is the betting odds-on favorite to get him. I tend to think there are reasons behind money movement like that.