The Golden State Warriors’ plans for the 2020-21 season changed drastically when All-Star shooting guard, Klay Thompson, was lost for the season. Thompson has now missed two seasons, as we last saw him on the court during the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors.
Speaking of the Raptors, they are a team that could be doing some business with the Warriors this offseason. Golden State is armed with the No. 7 and No. 14 overall picks in the 2021 NBA Draft and 2020 second overall pick, James Wiseman. If they wish to upgrade their roster quickly instead of adding two more lottery picks to the mix, they have the cache to do so.
This is where the Raptors, another team that has some decisions to make this offseason, come into play. According to John Hollinger, via the subscription-based The Athletic, there is widespread speculation that Golden State will use Wiseman and the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft to upgrade their roster.
Toronto forward, Pascal Siakam, is one name to watch when it comes to the Warriors looking for a quick upgrade.
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Siakam has come on the last three seasons as a do-it-all forward for the Raptors. He has averaged at least 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in three consecutive seasons. Siakam had a real coming-out party during the 2019 postseason, which he punctuated with his strong performance against the Warriors en route to an NBA Championship.
The former New Mexico State product saw his 3-point shooting take a step back during the 2020-21 season. However, if he is surrounded by a stronger supporting cast, his shooting numbers should bounce back. Look at what playing alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green did for Andrew Wiggins.
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While Siakam isn’t as big of a fish as some of the other names that have been floated around the Warriors, such as Bradley Beal, he would be an excellent addition to their frontcourt rotation.
A closing lineup of Pascal Siakam alongside Green, Wiggins, Thompson and Curry would be a challenge for opposing teams on both sides of the ball.
