Kings vs. Raptors gameday: Pascal Siakam trade rumors, scouting reports and injury updates

Pascal Siakam is a player the Kings have looked at as a possible trade target over the past couple of years. They will get a good look at him when they play host to the Toronto Raptors on Friday at Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento has been linked to trade talks involving Siakam dating back to the summer of 2021. The Kings also had interest in OG Anunoby before the Raptors traded him, Precious Achiuwa, Malachi Flynn and DaQuan Jeffries to the New York Knicks last week in exchange for R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick.

The Kings might end up circling back on those talks for Siakam leading up to the February trade deadline. At age 29, the 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward is averaging a team-high 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Raptors. He is shooting 52.1% from the field, but his 3-point shooting has dipped to 28.8%.

The pursuit of Siakam would be complicated by his contract status. Now in the final year of a four-year, $137 million deal, Siakam will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported Friday the Kings, Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons are rumored to be the most likely suitors for Siakam at this time. The Kings are reportedly making Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter and Davion Mitchell available in trade talks.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania, appearing on Friday’s episode of the “The Rally” on Stadium, said Sacramento is viewed as a “serious suitor” for Siakam.

“The Raptors are ramping up trade talks around Pascal Siakam and I’m told the Sacramento Kings are emerging as a serious suitor in Siakam,” Charania said. “They’re among the offers and options that Toronto has and this is a gaining interest for Sacramento to pair and combine a Big 3 of Pascal Siakam, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis if they’re able to pull a deal off.

“But what could be a very integral part of these conversations with Siakam is he is on an expiring contract of about $38 million, and his willingness and his desire to re-sign as a free agent in July, whether that’s in Sacramento or another team that he does get moved to, that is going to play a big part in this. That could play a major role in this if that team that’s going to get him is going to want to check into whether he will re-sign as a free agent, and if not, that could also dissuade some teams.”

Scouting Sacramento

The Kings (20-13) are fifth in the Western Conference, four games behind the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves. They are averaging 117.8 points per game while allowing 117.2.

The Kings have won three of their last four games. They are coming off a wild 138-135 double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic. Malik Monk scored a season-high 37 points. Domantas Sabonis recorded his seventh triple-double of the season with 22 points, 23 rebounds and 12 assists.

De’Aaron Fox is averaging a career-high 29.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and a career-best 39% from 3-point range.

Sabonis averages 19.6 points, a league-high 12.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists. He has posted five triple-doubles in the past nine games. Over the past three games, he has averaged 19.3 points, 21.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists.

Keegan Murray (15.6 ppg), Monk (14.9 ppg) and Barnes (11.3 ppg) are also scoring in double figures for Sacramento. Huerter is down to 9.9 points per game after scoring a total of 29 points over the past six games. Huerter, a 38.2% career 3-point shooter, hit 31.6% from long distance in December and made 3 of 19 (.158) over the past six games.

Scouting Toronto

The Raptors (14-20) are tied for 11^th in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in spot. They are averaging 114.0 points per game while allowing 115.1.

The Raptors are coming off back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies. Prior to that, they had lost 10 of 13. Siakam scored 36 points in a 124-121 win over the Cavaliers. Quickley had 26 in a 116-111 win over the Grizzlies.

Siakam leads Toronto in scoring. Scottie Barnes, the third-year forward the Raptors are building around, is averaging career highs of 21.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Quickley and Barrett averaged 20.0 and 16.5 points, respectively, in their first two games for the Raptors. Dennis Schroder (14.6 ppg), Gary Trent Jr. (11.3 ppg) and Jakob Poeltl (10.4 ppg) are also scoring in double figures for Toronto.

Status update

The Raptors added Trent to their injury report Friday. He is now listed as questionable due to a left quadriceps contusion. Trent is one of Toronto’s top 3-point shooters, hitting 38.5% on 5.6 attempts per game. Otto Porter Jr. is doubtful with a knee injury.

Ruled out

Trent and Porter have been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Kings.

Raptors at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -4.5

Over/under: 238.5

Injury report

Raptors: QUESTIONABLE — Gary Trent Jr. (quadriceps). DOUBTFUL— Otto Porter Jr. (knee). OUT — Gradey Dick (G League); Javon Liberty-Freeman (G League); Christian Koloko (illness); Markquis Nowell (G League).

Kings: OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Colby Jones (G League); Jalen Slawson (G League).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 5 vs. Toronto Raptors

Jan. 7 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Jan. 9 at Detroit Pistons

Jan. 10 at Charlotte Hornets

Jan. 12 at Philadelphia 76ers