Impending NBA star free agent's contract desires revealed

Pascal Siakam is the hottest name on the trade market. As the Feb. 8 trade deadline draws closer, Siakam's name is becoming increasingly prominent in trade rumors. However, with just months remaining on his current four-year $136 million deal, interested teams will be reluctant to strike a trade without guarantees that Siakam will re-sign at the end of the season. 

According to a recent report by The Athletic's Sam Amick, Siakam is looking to sign a max deal. 

"It remains possible that the Raptors and Siakam will agree on an extension, especially if the trade market is underwhelming enough that Toronto’s president, Masai Ujiri, decides to hold onto him past the deadline," Amick reported. "But either way, Siakam is seeking a full-term, max-salary deal no matter where he ultimately lands."

That's where things get tricky. According to Marc Stein, via his SteinLine newsletter, any team that acquires Siakam via trade would be limited to offering him a two-year deal.

"Siakam’s widely presumed preference is playing out the rest of the season in Toronto and proceeding to free agency to gain ultimate control," Stein reported. "...Any team that trades for Siakam before the Feb. 8 buzzer — now that we've passed Dec. 30 — can only offer him a two-year extension. Word is Siakam, if he's dealt, is unlikely to sign off on a two-year extension and would prefer, again, to proceed to unrestricted free agency."

Siakam, 29, would likely prefer a longer-term contract. At his age, his next deal could potentially be his last big payday. Risking two years of financial security now would be a roll of the dice he likely doesn't want to take. Instead, the veteran forward is smart to prioritize waiting until free agency in the summer.

However, potentially losing Siakam for nothing is the worst-case scenario for the Raptors. Siakam can essentially veto any potential deal by telling the interested team that he's not willing to sign with them. He's in the driver's seat and can apply significant pressure on the franchise if he believes they're lowballing him on a contract offer. As such, Masai Ujiri will likely look to secure his star forward's long-term future after the trade deadline.

This season, Siakam is averaging 22.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 52.5% from the field and 30.8% from 3-point range. If the Raptors still feel like he doesn't fit their timeline or their vision for the future further down the line, they could always look to trade. At least then, they would be doing so from a position of strength. For now, though, paying and retaining Siakam seems like the most logical move.