Pacers Land Siakam in Blockbuster Trade with Raptors and Pelicans

The Indiana Pacers have made a significant move, acquiring All-Star forward Pascal Siakam in a trade deal involving the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Indiana Pacers have finalized a major trade, acquiring All-Star forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. In exchange, the Pacers sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks to the Raptors. Additionally, the New Orleans Pelicans were involved in a separate trade, sending Kira Lewis Jr. and a 2024 second-round pick to the Pacers, who subsequently shipped Lewis to the Raptors.

Pacers president Kevin Pritchard expressed excitement about welcoming Siakam to Indiana, highlighting his offensive skillset and defensive versatility. Siakam, a two-time All-NBA selection and NBA All-Star, has spent his entire eight-season NBA career with the Raptors, averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season. The 29-year-old forward, set to become a free agent in July, is reportedly eager to negotiate a new contract with the Pacers this summer.

Siakam’s agent, Todd Ramasar, expressed optimism about the forward’s prospects with the Pacers, emphasizing the quality of teammates and coaching staff.

The Pacers, currently ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference, lead the league in scoring. Siakam’s transition from Toronto, a team excelling in fast-break points, to Indiana, the second-highest scoring team, adds an intriguing dynamic. The Pacers and Raptors will face off three more times this season, with the next meeting scheduled for Valentine’s Day in Toronto.

Siakam, a key player in the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship run, is a two-time All-NBA selection and has averaged 17.4 points and 6.5 rebounds throughout his career.

In addition to the trades, the Pacers announced the waiving of veteran forward James Johnson, who had joined the team in mid-December. Bruce Brown, now with his fourth team in three seasons, brings a career-high scoring average of 12.1 points, while Jordan Nwora averages 5.2 points per game. Kira Lewis Jr., part of the trade with the Pelicans, had been averaging 2.9 points this season. The move also positions the Pelicans to stay below the luxury tax threshold.