The Indiana Pacers have traded for Pascal Siakam
The Indiana Pacers make the first big splash before the NBA trade deadline. Pascal Siakam is an Indiana Pacer.
The Indiana Pacers make the first big splash before the NBA trade deadline. In the early afternoon of Jan. 17, Pacers’ President Kevin Pritchard agreed to make a deal with the Toronto Raptors for the All-Star Forward — Pascal Siakam.
Siakam’s situation is unique. He is in the last year of his contract and will be a free agent in the summer. This somewhat forced the Raptors’ hand. They could trade Siakam and get some return or lose him this summer for nothing. Toronto chose wisely.
Pascal Siakam (29) will join the best offense in the NBA and the best point guard in Tyrese Haliburton. The best part was that Indiana did not have to give all that much to acquire Siakam. He is averaging 22.2 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and nearly 5 assists.
The Trade
Pacers receive: Pascal Siakam and a 2nd-round pick
Raptors receive: Bruce Brown Jr, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr, and 3 1st-round picks
The first-round picks that Indiana is sending out are the 2024 First-Round Pick (they own this), the 2024 First-Round Pick (via worst of OKC/UTAH/HOU/LAC), and the 2026 First Round Pick (Top 4 Protected they own).
Indiana gave up Bruce Brown and Jordan Nwora, two 2024 late first-round picks, and a protected 2026 first for an All-Star Forward. This is a great trade because it keeps Indiana’s young core intact and gives them ammunition to make a playoff push this season.
As I mentioned earlier, Siakam is a free agent this offseason. So, this is a risk Indiana is taking. However, they are betting on Siakam having an enjoyable time in their starting lineup while being paired with Tyrese Haliburton.
Adrian Wojnarowski had this to say on Siakam’s attitude towards the future: “Pascal Siakam is excited about the deal to the Pacers and is expected to be eager to work out a new contract with the franchise this summer, sources tell ESPN. Siakam can be a free agent in July”.
He will make $37,893,408 by the end of this season and will be an unrestricted free agent after the year ends. One of the best sales pitches you can give to Siakam is to win. The Pacers have surprised everyone this season and have struggled on the defensive side of the ball. Now, they get one of the league’s best defenders to pair alongside Myles Turner — one of the league’s best rim protectors.
Siakam will look to sign a max contract extension, which Indiana will make their top priority. For now, the Pacers want to win games, and their chances just went up. The Pacers have gone 2-2 since Tyrese Haliburton was injured in early January. When their All-Star point guard makes his return, it will be must-see TV.
Indiana will hold some sort of introductory press conference for Siakam, and I am sure he will be asked what his thoughts are on signing here after the year. For now, we only have a comment from his agent to understand how they feel about the trade.
Siakam’s agent had this to say about his client and the trade:
“I’m excited that Pascal is getting a first-class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese and Myles, and being coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle. His future their looks bright there,” Pascal Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar about trade to Pacers.
Buckle up because the Pacers just got better, and they will be a blast to watch play basketball.