Report: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors expected to reach contract extension agreement before Monday's deadline

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It's "almost a certainty" that Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors agree to a contract extension before Monday's deadline, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

Haynes added that a maximum contract will need to be offered for the agreement to be finalized. Shams Charania of the Athletic reported earlier this month that Siakam was seeking a maximum extension, either four years, $130 million or five years, $170 million.

The No. 27 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Siakam is coming off of a breakout season in which he averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He was named the league's Most Improved Player ahead of finalists D'Angelo Russell and De'Aaron Fox.

With Kawhi Leonard now in Los Angeles, Siakam has an opportunity to prove himself as the No. 1 option on the Raptors this season.

Siakam would join Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons and Denver Nuggets rising star Jamal Murray as the only players from the 2016 draft class to receive a five-year, $170 million max extension should he sign for the full max.

Raptors general manager Bobby Webster discussed Siakam's looming extension on Tuesday, saying "we're talking" and "we're hopeful" about getting a deal done. Webster also talked about the importance of maintaining financial flexibility — a reason to delay his extension until next offseason — as well as maintaining a positive relationship with Siakam — a reason to get a strong extension done now.

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Scott Rafferty is a Senior NBA Editor for The Sporting News