Was thinking about a part in the [Lewenberg article](https://www.tsn.ca/nba/sources-raptors-expected-to-move-or-extend-siakam-ahead-of-trade-deadline-1.2058826) that’s going around today that’s flying under the radar:
> Historically, Ujiri’s front office has prioritized term over annual salary in deals with their veteran players, and if it comes to it, a three-year offer at just under Siakam’s max wouldn’t be surprising. But would something like that be enough to appease Siakam and his camp, who are assuredly looking to get the most out of a contract that will take the two-time All-NBA forward through his prime years?
Pascal’s 4 year max extension right now is about 4/190m, assuming a 142m cap next year as the most recent estimates are saying.
But what if he signed a shorter term deal? What if, as an example, Pascal signed a 2+1 max extension (the +1 being a player option). That would be 2/87m guaranteed, with a 49m player option for 2026-27 at age 32. What’s notable about that is that after 2 years, Pascal would be eligible for up to a 10 year max, which is 35% of the cap (currently he is only eligible for a max at 30% of the cap). At that point, he could opt out and sign a deal worth up to 5/350m, assuming 10% cap raises every year after next.
Now, obviously Pascal isn’t getting a deal that large, especially at 32 years old. But what if he got just a 2 year max, similar to what Fred got this past offseason (more $ for shorter term)? That would be 2/125m, taking his total earnings over those 4 years to 4/212m, which is about 22m higher than the 4 year max extension he’s eligible for now.
This method also gives Pascal more flexibility, as he enters free agency one more time at 32 instead of 34, which gives him a chance to land a larger deal. A 3 year max at that point would be 3/195m, a 4 year would be 4/271m. However, he does take a risk, as if he were to get injured or his game fall off during those 2 years, he’s likely looking at a much smaller deal at 32.
My guess is that Pascal would sign a 4 year max extension if offered, but if the Raps don’t want the full 4 years, taking a 2+1 and another stab at free agency at 32 would be the best path for Pascal if he wanted to stay with the Raps for now.
Or he could just walk for nothing and sign elsewhere this offseason for up to 4/180m approximately if the front office has ticked him off though lol.
by Cheechers23
6 Comments
Well outside of the really concerning report that they haven’t been talking extensions at all over the summer time, this would be the reason why I suspect they are far apart on a deal.
Pascal will turn 30 this season, this can be his last big contract. This might be him and his camp thinking that his market at age 32 will be drastically lower than what he can get right now. To be honest, I do wish he was under contract for one more year — it’s hard for a player to turn down money in the name of competing when the team itself hasn’t shown to be very good. Similar to the Harden situation last year — he could have gone for max money but instead he signed a team-friendly deal to help the 76ers sign someone else (they used that money on PJ Tucker, and they still didn’t make it out of the 2nd round). This is part of the reason Harden is pissed at Morey, he gave up 10M+ and wasn’t really rewarded for it.
No, he’s expressed interest in a 4 year max, a 4 year max will be available for him in Free agency (Sixers, Pistons, Hawks).
Yeah I think he’s hitting free agency at this point regardless of resigning or not.
I doubt it. He might sign 3 years with bird rights if there aren’t any better offers.
Not if someone else offers him 4
He made it clear he also would like to contend. Why would he resign with the Raptors just to gut his future team when traded. He is going to whichever contending team that has the cap space to sign him. So he is a Sixers next season.