One NBA writer is proposing that the Indiana Pacers trade for Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam in a blockbuster deal. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Pacers and Raptors:
Indiana Pacers receive: Pascal Siakam
Toronto Raptors receive: Buddy Hield, Daniel Theis, Obi Toppin, 2025 first-round pick (top-five protected) and 2027 first-round pick
“The fit makes a lot of sense—even if Siakam bolted after this season, Jarace Walker might be ready to fill that void—which is probably why Indiana ‘reached out’ to Toronto regarding Siakam earlier this offseason, per Sportsnet’s Michael Grange. The Pacers’ future looks bright, but its present would be a lot more interesting with Siakam involved,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers Updates
Several NBA teams have shown interest in pursuing Siakam via trade over the past three months, but the external market has been tempered a bit due to the fact that it’s been made clear Siakam would not extend with a team that trades for him. Siakam can sign for 30 percent of the salary cap either now via extension or next offseason as a free agent with the Raptors or any other team.
The Raptors are eligible to sign Siakam to a maximum contract extension of four years and at least $192 million. Thus far, there have been no substantive conversations surrounding an extension. And for Siakam’s part, the NBA star has never requested to be traded.
Siakam averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season for the Raptors while shooting 48.0% from the floor, 32.4% from 3 and 77.4% from the free-throw line. He’s one of the best forwards in the NBA.
A Douala native, Siakam has career NBA averages of 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He won the 2019 NBA championship and the 2018-19 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers Updates
The Pacers could start Tyrese Haliburton, Bruce Brown, Bennedict Mathurin, Siakam and Myles Turner if Indiana’s front office figured out a way to acquire Siakam from Toronto.
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