Cool relations between Pascal Siakam and Toronto?
Pascal Siakam and Masai Ujiri do not appear to see eye to eye. Their comments at the Raptors' media day have got people talking
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NBA champion with Toronto in 2019, Pascal Siakam seems to have his eye on a move elsewhere. Having got wind of his desire to leave, some teams have shown an interest, Atlanta among them. At the Raptors' media day on Monday 02 October, the franchise boss, Masaï Ujiri, did not escape questions about the future of his Cameroonian. And it is fair to say the Nigerian does not appear in a hurry to discuss an extension with the power forward. He also made a remark that sounds like a dig at the 29-year-old.
“I spoke with Pascal this summer. A contract extension? Not yet,” Masai Ujiri said, explaining that he first wants to take a look at his current group after a disappointing 2022/23 campaign. “We believe wholeheartedly in Pascal. But we also think some of our players didn't play the way they should have (last season), so we want to see them play the right way again this season,” Ujiri said. A rather surprising statement given Pascal Siakam's contract situation. He will be a free agent in the summer of 2024, so he could walk away for nothing.
Masai Ujiri on Pascal Siakam and last season's Raptors squad. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/kyhwBpzx7v
— theScore (@theScore) October 2, 2023
Siakam gives as good as he gets
Pascal Siakam was quick to respond to the jibe. “I'll speak for myself – I've never been a selfish player in my life, I've always played the right way, since the first time I played basketball. I've always been a team player. Everything I do on a basketball court is for the team, and I've done that throughout my career. (…) I don't have an ounce of selfishness in me, I just want to keep playing the right way, and I feel like I've always done that”.
After his general manager, Pascal Siakam also addressed his future. “I leave that kind of question to the people who represent me. That's what they're paid for,” Siakam said… “I'm under contract with the Raptors. That's my current situation, and that's what I'm focused on right now. I want to be part of an exciting project, win games and enjoy myself.”