Rockets eyeing Pascal Siakam-James Harden swap with Raptors?

““I’m sure it would have to be Siakam. I’m not sure, let me step back, but I would guess that the Rockets would want Malachi Flynn and then you’re looking at multiple first-round draft picks into the future. Probably lightly protected or unprotected,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported recently.

Whether the 26-year-old Siakam would be of interest to the Rockets as the centerpiece coming back in a James Harden trade remains to be seen. While he’s a great all-around talent, the forward is in the midst of a brutal start to the season. He’s averaging 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists on a mere 41% shooting from the field.

NBA rumors relating to a James Harden trade have died down some with the Miami Heat bowing out of the sweepstakes and a trade to the Brooklyn Nets looking increasingly unlikely.

The Philadelphia 76ers have pushed back against reports that they are willing to offer up Ben Simmons in a James Harden trade. That’s now magnified after their red-hot start to the season under first-year head coach Doc Rivers. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are apparently unwilling to deal C.J. McCollum in a Harden trade and the Denver Nuggets are not willing to part with young forward Michael Porter Jr.

The backdrop here is Harden being in a rift with his organization and flat out violating the NBA COVID-19 protocols multiple times over the past month or so. That could potentially leave Toronto as a legit destination for Harden.

How would a James Harden trade to the Raptors look?

Needless to say, it starts with Siakam heading to Texas. From there, a hypothetical Harden blockbuster to the north could look something like this.

• Raptors get: James Harden
• Rockets get: Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell, Malachi Flynn and three future unprotected first-round picks

The question here becomes whether Toronto would take this risk. Harden has two more years remaining on his contract. Toronto is not seen as a major North American hub, as evidenced by Kawhi Leonard’s departure in free agency following the 2018-19 season.

The team is also 1-5 this season and could very well be picking in the lottery next June during what promises to be a loaded 2021 NBA Draft.

NBA rumors are going to continue surrounding a James Harden trade until the in-season deadline passes in March. For now, this specific Raptors rumor is the talk of the Association’s watercooler. Whether that leads to a blockbuster deal for the three-time reigning scoring champion remains to be seen.