It wasn’t exactly an “I am Toronto” proclamation or a “Don’t worry, I got us” promise that once ushered in a new Raptors era.
But what Pascal Siakam did this week made it clear Toronto is where he wants to be.
It wasn’t public, like DeMar DeRozan’s statements in a bygone time, but Siakam put word out that he would not entertain contract extension talks with any team that might have traded for him in the lead-up to Thursday’s draft. That should resonate here and throughout the league.
Here is a 29-year-old with impeccable credentials — two all-star game appearances, an all-NBA team berth, a most-improved player award — who, according to sources close to him, would like nothing better than to finish his career here as the longest-serving Raptors player.