“The Big Prize”: Charles Barkley Discusses Potential Warriors Move for Pascal Siakam Amidst Struggles
The Golden State Warriors faced another setback on Monday, suffering a loss to a Memphis Grizzlies team that featured several G-League players due to injuries to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Despite the current struggles of the 18-22 Warriors, there is hope for improvement as General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. actively works on potential moves leading up to the February 8 trade deadline.
Among the rumored targets for the Warriors is Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, who remains on the trading block. Charles Barkley, a basketball legend, discussed on Monday’s episode of “Inside the NBA” on TNT why acquiring Siakam could be a transformative move for the Golden State team.
“Siakam is the big prize… I see the Warriors are trying to get Siakam,” Barkley said. “That would change the whole dynamic of that Warriors team. He’s an all-star-type player, and if he don’t have to be your best player, and if he can be like going back when they won a championship with Kawhi [Leonard]… if he’d be your second-best player, a team gonna be like, ‘Oh we’re good.'”
Barkley, a well-known critic of the Warriors who expressed skepticism about the Bay Area team even during their successful years, admitted that Stephen Curry and the team are currently experiencing the consequences of reaching the NBA Finals six times in an eight-year span, spanning from 2015 to 2022.
“They’re trying everything trade-wise, because the team just got old,” Barkley stressed. “And the young guys going back to [James] Wiseman didn’t pan out. The jury is still out on [Jonathan] Kuminga. But they got old. One thing about success — it takes a toll on you, especially when you’re in the finals every year.”
Siakam, a two-time All-Star, is posting averages of 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in his eighth season with the Raptors. Notably, his statistics have declined compared to the previous season, largely attributed to third-year forward Scottie Barnes emerging as the primary option for coach Darko Rajaković.
