Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors looks on in the game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., January 12, 2024. /CFP
One of the hottest targets on the NBA trade market, Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, was sent to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal that also involved the New Orleans Pelicans, it was announced on Wednesday.
In this trade, the Pacers got Siakam from the Raptors and a 2024 second-round NBA Draft pick from the Pelicans. They sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-rounders to the Raptors. The Pelicans also sent Kira Lewis Jr. to the Raptors and will receive cash considerations.
The three first-round picks the Raptors got are a 2024 unprotected one of the Pacers, the lesser of a Utah Jazz (top-10-protected)/Houston Rockets (top-four-protected)/Los Angeles Clippers/Oklahoma City Thunder 2024 pick and a 2026 one of the Pacers' own (top-four-protected).
Pascal Siakam (#43) of the Toronto Raptors shoots in the game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., January 12, 2024. /CFP
Siakam averaged 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 triples at 31.7 percent per game by Wednesday. Judging by his career performance, he's able to shoulder a bigger offensive role as long as the team can accept his mediocre isolation efficiency. With his size, athleticism and power, he can attack smaller defenders in mismatches. When Tyrese Haliburton recovers from injury, Siakam can benefit a lot from his creative playmaking ability as a finisher in fast break.
"We're incredibly excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana," the Pacers' president, Kevin Pritchard, said in a statement. "As a two-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA All Star, Pascal is a player that our organization has long admired and respected. We feel that his unique offensive skillset will complement our style of play, while his defensive versatility will be a valuable asset to our team."
Pascal Siakam (#43) of the Toronto Raptors shoots in the game against the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, January 15, 2024. /CFP
The Pacers are currently desperate for a star player to fill in the absence of Haliburton, who will be revalued again in at least a week with a hamstring strain. However, it would be unrealistic to expect Siakam to save the team's bottom defense of all 30 teams in the league. He can be a good defender if he rolls up his sleeves, but Siakam is no longer that invested in defense after he began to play a bigger offensive role in the team since 2019. Meanwhile, he excels at switching to guard multiple positions, not providing help defense.
Siakam is in the final year of his four-year, $136.9 million contract this season. The Pacers have until June 30 to sign a two-year, $81.6 million extension with him, but he is unlikely to ink it. When he becomes a free agent in the summer, he can get a four-year, $248.5 million deal at most. The Pacers will have enough cap space to offer that number if they want to.