Pascal Siakam Makes Honest Statement About Toronto

While most NBA offseasons have the news swirling around the draft and free agency, the Toronto Raptors have been unable to escape headlines because of the disastrous situation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. After attempting to trade for the seven-time All-Star, NBA commissioner Adam Silver made it clear to general manager Bobby Webster that the Raptors would assume any and all punishments that are given to Leonard once the investigation concludes. This ultimately led to a pause in the trade until the situation is resolved, leaving Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick in limbo along with Leonard.

On a brighter note, one of the 2019 Finals MVP’s championship teammates is back in Toronto. Four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam is back in Canada, as he hosts the EdTech Demo Day. This is an event where six startup companies that participate in his EdTech Engine accelerator program compete for $50,000 through business pitches aimed at improving the classroom experience for students.

After the showcase, the Cameroonian star was interviewed and gave a very wholesome message to the city.

“Toronto, for me, it’s home,” said Siakam. “To be able to come back today … trying to help all these people who create new technologies … providing them with our support is important.”

Currently playing for the Indiana Pacers, the former No. 27 pick in the 2016 NBA draft started his foundation during his 7.5-year tenure with the Raptors. He won the Most Improved Player award the same year Toronto captured its first and only championship, improving his points per game from 7.3 in his second year to 16.9 in his third. Since then, Siakam has never scored less than 20 points per game in a season, including in 2025 when he was the leading scorer on a team that fell one game short of an NBA championship. 

He was traded out of Toronto at the 2024 midseason deadline in an attempt to retool the lineup, get younger, and set up a better future for the team. While the pick was ultimately traded away to get Ingram just a year later at the 2025 deadline, it allowed for Siakam to return to competitive basketball with the Pacers, immediately making the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Before this summer ends, the Raptors need to address their lackluster depth at the center position. Siakam and Ingram were both traded by former executive Masai Ujiri, but now it’s Webster who is in charge of basketball operations in Toronto. Obviously, time will tell with the Leonard trade, but he may need to make another one for a center soon, before he runs out of time.