The Indiana Pacers have emerged as a serious contender to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Siakam has one year left on his contract and the Raptors are aggressively gauging his market value.
“It is increasingly conceivable that Toronto’s Pascal Siakam could be moved before one or both of them given that Siakam trade chatter has begun bubbling at an increased rate,” Stein wrote. “The Indiana Pacers, league sources say, have emerged as a legitimate trade contender for Siakam. The Atlanta Hawks, of course, have been pursuing Siakam since last month’s draft.”
Siakam signed a four-year, $136 million rookie contract extension with the Raptors in October 2019. He will make $37.9 million next season. The talented swingman averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season while shooting 48.0% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc and 77.4% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Indiana Pacers Updates
The Hawks have been trying to trade for Siakam all offseason, sources told NBA Analysis Network, as the franchise wants to pair the two-time All-Star with star guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Meanwhile, the Pacers are trying to acquire more win-now talent around rising All-Star Tyrese Haliburton.
Any team trying to trade for Siakam must be cautious, as according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT, Siakam prefers to stay with the Raptors and he may not re-sign with a team who trades for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors & Indiana Pacers Updates
Toronto lost the 9-10 play-in game to the Chicago Bulls and didn’t make the 2023 playoffs. Nick Nurse was fired as head coach and replaced by Darko Rajakovic and All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet left the Raptors for the Houston Rockets in free agency.
Siakam has career averages of 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He won the 2019 championship and the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
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