The Oklahoma City Thunder were interested in acquiring Toronto Raptors swingman Pascal Siakam in a potential Paul George trade, but the Raptors didn't want to trade the talented youngster, according to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.

The Thunder and Raptors held trade talks centered around George. Ultimately, Toronto felt like they were being used as leverage. OKC sent George to the Los Angeles Clippers. Kawhi Leonard signed a four-year deal with the Clippers and convinced George to demand a trade from the Thunder.

Although the Thunder were interested in Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, the 2019 NBA Most Improved Player, sources said the champs weren’t so willing to give him up. The Clippers, meanwhile, had draft picks and interesting talent to offer.

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With Leonard gone, the Raptors will now build the franchise around Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby. You can expect Toronto president Masai Ujiri to try and trade veterans Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka this summer.

Siakam won the 2019 Most Improved Player of the Year award. He averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists this past season while shooting 54.9 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line.

In the 2019 playoffs, Siakam put up 19.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. The Raptors, of course, defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in six games.