Multiple ball clubs were interested in Toronto’s All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, yet it was the Indiana Pacers who put up the requisite assets needed to complete what has turned into a three-team trade for him. Considering they’ve already got key big man Myles Turner and a burgeoning star in Tyrese Haliburton to complement him, will it work out in the long-run?
Siakam: Defensive versatility, offensive weapons to Indy
- Indiana’s president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard was naturally excited when discussing the deal: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana – as a two-time All-NBA selection and two-time All-Star, he’s a player our organisation 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.”
- First of many? Tyrese Haliburton wants to play alongside other stars in small-market Indiana, where those openings aren’t as regular as elsewhere. Siakam’s arrival could kickstart more significant additions
- Toronto president Masai Ujiri on departing star: “Pascal is a champion, an integral part of winning teams and example of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, hard work and tenacity. We’re lucky to have seen him develop into the man and player he is today – grateful for everything he’s done for our city and franchise, wish him all good things.”
- Siakam is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season while ESPN reports he’s excited about the move, and eager to arrange a new contract extension this coming summer – in direct contrast to some of the speculation surrounding his future over the past month
It feels like just yesterday Victor Oladipo was firmly the number one option in Indiana, many critics believing the shooting guard could propel their modest ball club into consistently making some playoff noise, given the right matchups.
Oladipo’s numbers
2017-18: 23.1 points on 47.7 FG% and 37.1 3P%, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and league-leading 2.4 steals per game
2018-19, pre-injury: 18.8 PPG on 42.3 FG% and 34.3 3P%, 5.6 rebs, 5.2 ast, 1.7 STL
He was their two-time All-Star, focal point and led by example with exciting play exceeding expectations in ways most didn’t foresee possible during his first four years in the league with Orlando and briefly Oklahoma out West.
Five years later, it’s Tyrese Haliburton in that role – a player the Sacramento Kings felt they had to sacrifice two years ago – and the supporting cast alongside him continue to strengthen after this bold trade move was officially announced. Things can change in an instant but this time, with a higher ceiling to boot, it feels different.
Trade details in full
Toronto Raptors receive Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis (NOLA), Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round draft picks, top-four protected 2026 first-rounder. Second-year big man Christian Koloko (illness) released to facilitate three-team deal, but still of interest
Indiana get Pascal Siakam, second-round Pelicans draft pick — waived veteran forward James Johnson and have two weeks to re-add league-minimum 14th man
New Orleans get cap relief after Lewis dealt and other moves, to the tune of $18m
Last month’s OG Anunoby trade to the Knicks set the wheels in motion for this, in a healthy returning haul for two players with high asking prices in previous seasons.
Pascal Siakam, a two-time All-Star and all-NBA player – arrives on scene with invaluable postseason experience with 53 games over five seasons and was key in the Raptors’ surprise championship run five years ago. Since then, he’s established himself further in a starring role for Toronto since Kawhi Leonard’s departure.
30 in April, Siakam is navigating the prime years of his career and it’s clearly a win-now move for a side not expecting to move this fast once Haliburton was involved.
Indiana (23-17) are the league’s highest-scoring team this term and currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, though only four wins separate #2 from #8 right now.
Toronto currently rank as the best team for fast-break points scored per game and Indiana are a close second, with a reunion slated on the calendar less than a month from today: Valentine’s Day in Toronto. They’ll play three times by season’s end.
“I’m excited Pascal is getting a first-class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese [Haliburton] and Myles [Turner], coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle. His future looks bright there.”
- Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar (h/t: Andscape)
Meanwhile, other pieces of the deal
Less than a full season into his stint with the Pacers, NBA champion Bruce Brown will find himself in a fourth new home over the past three seasons – having averaged a new career-high 12.1 points on 47.5 FG% so far this campaign.
Ujiri praised his two-way play and toughness, traits that have made him a highly-coveted asset across the market and will likely do so next year if they don’t opt into their $23m team option for Year 2 of a two-year, $45m contract.
Toronto’s roster casualty was second-year center Christian Koloko, who hadn’t featured yet this season due to an unspecified respiratory issue.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania has since revealed it was a career-threatening blood clot issue now being sent to the league’s fit-to-play programme.
Although said to be ramping up his individual training, there was no timeline for his return and ultimately that combination counted against him.
Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca says the ball club are still “very high” on the Cameroonian big man, while his promise as a rim protector made for an interesting subplot at a time where they lack much in that area – many sniffed at their decision to re-sign Jakob Poeltl last season, while it would help if they got younger.
Picture source: Getty Images
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