Pascal Siakam

On June 23, 2016, Siakam was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 27th overall pick in the NBA draft,[5] with the franchise signing him to a rookie scale contract on July 9.[6] On October 2, he became the first rookie to start for the Raptors' season-opener since Jonas Valančiūnas did so in 2012; rising to the occasion, he hauled in 9 rebounds and notched 4 points in 21 minutes as Toronto beat the Detroit Pistons, 109–91.[7] It marked not only his NBA debut, but the first NBA game that he had ever seen in person.[1] On December 3, Siakam scored a season-high 14 points, which came in a 128–84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.[8] On January 1, 2017, during a 123–114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, he pulled down a season-high 10 rebounds.[8]

In his rookie season, Siakam started in as many as 38 games at power forward, including the first 35 of the 2016–17 campaign, because Jared Sullinger was out with injury;[5] he was later replaced on the starting lineup by Lucas Nogueira on January 5, 2017.[9] From February 21 through April 28, he was alternately assigned to the Raptors 905 of the D-League and recalled from it.[10] Accordingly, between games played for the Raptors, he led Toronto's affiliate team to the Finals and helped them win a title by defeating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 2–1. After averaging 23 points and 9 rebounds in that series, he was named the D-League Finals MVP.[11]

In his second year in the NBA, Siakam cemented himself as a productive bench contributor for Toronto.[5] He recorded a then career-high 20 points during a 117–112 loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 25, 2017.[12] For the 2017–18 season, the Raptors' offensive rating was four points better with Siakam on the floor, compared to seven points worse his rookie year.[13] His averages improved from 4.3 points per game to 7.3, from 3.4 rebounds per game to 4.5, and from 0.3 assists per game to 2.0.[8] He would draw comparisons to Warriors' forward Draymond Green for such qualities as his rare ability to guard all positions, his shrewd basketball IQ, and internal confidence.[13]

Siakam readying for a jump ball against Andre Iguodala during Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals

Heading into the 2018-19 campaign, Siakam emerged as a two-way force, and he would average 16.9 points a night to go along with 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists; he would also make a marked improvement in shooting from distance, increasing his three-point percentage by 14 points to 36 percent.[8] He surpassed his previous career-high on October 29, 2018, by posting 22 points during a 124–109 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.[14][15] On November 10, he set a new career-high with 23 points scored in a 128–112 victory over the New York Knicks.[16] Siakam was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played November 5 to 11, thus becoming the eighth Raptor in franchise history to earn the award after DeMar DeRozan (10 times), Vince Carter (7 times), Chris Bosh (7 times), Kyle Lowry (4 times), Mike James, Jalen Rose, and Lou Williams.[17] On January 13, Siakam recorded 24 points and a career-high 19 rebounds in a 140–138 double-overtime win versus the Washington Wizards.[18] On February 13, he racked up a new career-high 44 points and hit a career-best 4 three-pointers in a 129–120 win over the Wizards; he thus became the 11th Raptor in franchise history to reach the 40-point plateau.[19]

In Game 3 of the Raptors' first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Siakam tallied 30 points and 11 rebounds in the 98–93 victory.[20] In Game 1 of the second round, Siakam posted 29 points in a 108–95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.[21] In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Siakam helped Toronto defeat Milwaukee in double-overtime, 118–112, putting up 25 points and bringing down 11 rebounds; the win cut the Bucks' series lead to 2–1.[22] In Game 6, Siakam converted 18 points for his part in the 100–94 win over Milwaukee; the victory clinched the series and propelled the Raptors to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.[23] In Game 1 of the 2019 Finals, Siakam scored a playoff career-high 32 points in a 118–109 victory over the Golden State Warriors.[24] He went on to help the Raptors defeat the Warriors in six games and thus capture their first NBA Championship in franchise history.[25] At the 2019 Awards ceremony later that month, Siakam was named the NBA's Most Improved Player for the 2018–19 season.[26] On October 19, 2019, Siakam agreed to a four-year, $130 million extension with Toronto.[27]

Siakam recorded 34 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block in 38 minutes played of the NBA's season-opening game to help the Raptors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 130-122. He also matched his career-highs in both offensive rebounds and made free throws, and set a new career-high in field goals attempted.[28] On November 8, Siakam scored a career-high 44 points in a 122-104 win over the Pelicans.[29] On November 13, Siakam scored 36 points in a 114-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[30] On December 1, Siakam scored 35 points in a 130-110 win over the Utah Jazz.[31] On January 23, 2020, Siakam was selected to his first career All-Star nod, being named a starter in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.[32] On January 26, Siakam would again score 35 points in a 110-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[33] On February 21, Siakam scored 37 points, along with 12 rebounds, in a 118-101 win over the Phoenix Suns.[34]