The trade deal to send Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors to the Indiana Pacers has been officially completed.
The NBA trade deadline ends on the 8th of February and the top teams across the league are looking forward to getting in the players that will enhance their chances of winning the NBA title. The latest high-profile trade took place today as the Toronto Raptors agreed to trade Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers announced that they had acquired forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for guards Bruce Brown Jr. and Kira Lewis Jr., forward Jordan Nwora, two first-round picks in 2024, and a conditional first-round pick in 2026.
On paper, this trade looks like a big win for the Indiana Pacers. The Paces have excelled this year thanks to All-Star point guard Tyrese Halliburton’s form on the court. Siakam is 29 years old and a seasoned pro in the league.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe is a two-time All-Star and will form a strong core with center Myles Turner and Halliburton for the Pacers. This season, Siakam is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 31.7% from three-point range and 52.2% from the field.
Brown played a crucial supporting role for the Denver Nuggets during their 2017 NBA championship run. In the offseason, he inked a two-year, $45 million deal with the Pacers, becoming one of the most sought-after players available as a free agent. He has participated in 33 games with the Pacers and is now departing Indiana. His absence will be felt by a Pacers team that is strong offensively but has a defensive rating that is 26th in the NBA.
welcome to Indy, Pascal Siakam 😤 pic.twitter.com/KbzTdvxDKq
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 18, 2024
Bruce Brown is averaging a career-high 12.1 points per game. Brown has spent six seasons as a player for the Brooklyn Nets and won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in June.
Jordan Nwora’s contract is about to expire, and he is averaging 5.2 points per game. Kira Lewis Jr. has averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game with the New Orleans Pelicans. This summer, he’ll be a restricted free agent and the Raptors could make him an offer of $7.9 million.
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Anunoby, Siakam’s contract is about to expire. He has a four-year, $137 million contract that is set to expire at the end of next offseason, barring an extension with the Pacers. He’s looking for a maximum extension.
Indiana Pacers are now a real contender for the Eastern Conference championship thanks to the acquisition of Pascal Siakam. Acquiring a star in his 30s carries some risk, particularly when the team’s main player is almost six years younger. It is, however, a well-calculated gamble.
Siakam can now compete for a title once more thanks to the move. Indiana is tied with the New York Knicks for sixth place in the East (23-17). Just one game separates the Miami Heat (24-16, in fifth) and Cleveland Cavaliers (23-15, in fourth).
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
Raptors well and truly had their pants pulled down with this trade.
Great move for Siakam and the Pacers