By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Toronto Raptors just traded its superstar power forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers confirmed last January 18, 2024.
Everything was made official after ESPN’s veteran NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski announced Siakam’s departure from Toronto via a three-team deal involving the New Orleans Pelicans.
In the trade package, the Raptors sent Siakam and a future second-round pick via the Pelicans while the Pacers dealt Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round picks, and a 2026 first-round pick.
Also part of the deal was Kira Lewis from New Orleans who will be sent to the Raptors. With this move, Indiana was able to equalize Siakam’s salary without hauling another player from Toronto, verified by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
This is the first time that Siakam will be moving places since getting drafted by the Raptors as the 27th overall pick during the 2016 NBA Draft.
Despite having inconsistent minutes in his first few years, his game quickly developed after mastering the three-point shot while also raising his percentage in his perimeter attempts.
Known for his hustle and ability to guard all positions, Siakam helped the Raptors clinch the 2019 NBA Championship after outlasting Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
However, after Toronto let go of Kawhi Leonard the following season, the Raptors failed to repeat its magical playoff campaign and would suffer consecutive post-season defeats.
For Siakam, it was more of a beneficial move for Toronto to trade Leonard to the Los Angeles Clippers which gave him more room for growth as an offensive weapon.
This season, Siakam is still putting up monster numbers for Toronto and is currently averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 39 total games played.
Siakam will now be playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton, the league’s uprising point guard star who just flourished as Indiana’s franchise cornerstone.
Aside from Haliburton, Siakam will also be forming a formidable frontcourt 1-2 punch with two-way center Myles Turner.
Siakam will be a huge addition to the Pacers squad that is currently sitting at the no. 6 spot of the Eastern Conference with a 23-17 win-loss record.
