The Indiana Pacers were a lottery team in 2022-23. Don’t expect them to stay in the lottery for long. This team seldom does. The Pacers have made a habit of staying competitive. Throughout this organization’s NBA history, they’ve made the postseason far more often than they’ve missed it.
In all likelihood, they’re trying to get back there next year. The Pacers just signed Bruce Brown to a lucrative contract. That’s not a move that a team with a long-term outlook necessarily makes.
The Pacers could call it a summer. This team doesn’t have to do anything drastic. With that said, if the right opportunity came along, they may pounce on it. Would acquiring Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors be the right opportunity?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, F/C Jalen Smith, 2024 First-Round Pick (IND), 2026 First-Round Pick (IND), 2028 First-Round Pick (IND), 2030 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: F/C Pascal Siakam
The Raptors were a lottery team in 2022-23 as well. How long will they stay there? It’s a question that’s on everyone’s mind. The Raptors feel like a prime candidate to make a major move this summer – don’t they?
Perhaps. On the one hand, it feels like the Raptors value continuity. This front office may prefer to make more marginal changes. It’s possible that a new head coach will be enough of a difference for them.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Indiana Pacers Updates
On the other hand, this roster is a little complicated. The Raptors have a surplus of wings and a deficit of shooting. If they feel that they’ve reached a ceiling, they could move on from their best player. Should the Pacers trade for him?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
This would be a bold move for the Pacers. Rebuilding teams don’t usually make this type of win-now move. Again: the Pacers may not be a rebuilding team. This small market club has never had an appetite for losing. We shouldn’t assume that they’ve developed one now.
Besides, the Pacers weren’t bottom-feeders last year. Adding Siakam to this core could get them back to the playoffs. His versatile defense would be optimal alongside Myles Turner as a primary rim protector.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Indiana Pacers Updates
A core featuring those two and Tyrese Haliburton could make some noise next year. Meanwhile, the Pacers would still have exciting prospects like Benedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker. This deal helps them improve in the present without destroying their bright future. Should the Raptors make it with them?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
If the Raptors suffered from a lack of shooting in 2022-23, they wouldn’t after making this deal. After all, they already drafted the sharpshooting Gradey Dick. Now, they’re adding Buddy Hield. That’s a significant injection of elite floor spacing.
Is Hield part of the long-term equation for Toronto? In all likelihood, he is not. Still, getting this group’s young core accustomed to playing with one of the league’s best movement shooters could give the Raptors an idea of how to build around them in the long term.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Indiana Pacers Updates
Yet, that’s not the main reason for this deal on Toronto’s end. They’re receiving four unprotected first-round picks. All told, that ought to be enough to convince them to part with Siakam. Even if it means another year in the lottery.
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