Pacers finalizing 3-team Pascal Siakam trade with Raptors, Pelicans

Raptors trade Pascal Siakam to Pacers and Pelicans in blockbuster deal for multiple draft picks and young players. Siakam's future with Pacers looks bright.

The Toronto Raptors have made a blockbuster trade, sending All-Star power forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. In return, the Raptors are set to receive Bruce Brown Jr., Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks from the Pacers, as well as former first-round pick Kira Lewis Jr. from the New Orleans Pelicans.

The trade involves a total of five draft picks, with two first-round picks in 2024 and one in 2026 coming from the Pacers to the Raptors. The Pacers will also receive a second-round pick from the Pelicans as part of the deal. Additionally, the Pacers are sending their own 2024 and 2026 first-round picks, as well as the worst of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Utah Jazz 2024 first-round pick to the Raptors. The 2026 first-round pick going to Toronto from the Pacers contains 1-4 protections.

With this trade, the Raptors are entering a new era, with Chris Boucher as the only remaining player from their 2019 championship roster. Siakam, who spent the first seven seasons of his career in Toronto, is departing as the fifth-highest scorer in franchise history. The Raptors' executive Masai Ujiri has once again made a move to accumulate future assets, having previously traded OG Anunoby a few weeks back.

Bruce Brown Jr., who recently signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Pacers, is now joining the Raptors. He is eligible to be traded once again for more value, but the Raptors will not be allowed to include additional players in a possible second trade involving Brown. It is expected that several playoff-contending teams will show interest in acquiring Brown ahead of the trade deadline in February.

For the Pelicans, their involvement in the trade provides cap relief, as they are able to save $18 million by moving below the luxury tax line after sending Lewis to Toronto. The Pelicans had been looking for a way to move Lewis in recent weeks leading up to the trade.

Siakam, now 29 years old, embarks on a new journey with the Pacers, where he immediately steps into a significant role with a team in playoff contention. The Pacers, currently 23-17 on the season, have positioned themselves to compete for a playoff spot and potentially secure home-court advantage in a first-round series.

Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan and team president Kevin Pritchard made the move to build around Haliburton after the team's success in the 2023-24 season. Siakam, in the final year of his contract, is expected to be a key acquisition for the Pacers' future.

Siakam's agent Todd Ramasar expressed excitement about Siakam's opportunity with the Pacers, noting that his future looks bright in Indiana. Siakam is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, but it appears likely that he will remain with the Pacers.

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