The Indiana Pacers have acquired star forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in a massive three-team trade involving the New Orleans Pelicans, according to multiple reports. The blockbuster deal sends Siakam to Indiana, while the Raptors receive significant draft capital and young players as they embark on a rebuild.
Pacers Add Star Power with Siakam
The Pacers landed the centerpiece of the trade in Siakam, a 28-year-old power forward who is a proven star and gives Indiana legitimate All-Star talent to pair with guard Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam, who helped the Raptors win the 2019 NBA title, is averaging 24.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this season while shooting 45.7% from the field and 35.4% from 3-point range.
Indiana is sending guard Buddy Hield, forward/center Myles Turner and guard Tyrese Haliburton to Toronto as part of the deal, indicating they are willing to mortgage significant parts of their core for the chance to vault into true contention in the Eastern Conference behind new arrival Siakam and point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam will slide into the power forward spot and give the Pacers the type of dynamic scorer they were previously lacking.
“This is an All-Star, an All-NBA player that we have added to the mix here,” said Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan. “We’re serious about taking the next step and being a team that can truly compete at the highest levels going forward. Pascal gives us the elite talent to do that.”
Raptors Kick Off Full Rebuild
For Toronto, trading the 28-year-old Siakam signals the start of a full rebuild centered around Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. The Raptors will get guard Bruce Brown and three first-round picks in return, giving them major assets to fuel their makeover.
“While it is difficult to say goodbye to Pascal, who contributed so much to our team’s championship run, this trade puts us in position to build toward sustainable long-term success,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri.
In addition to Brown and the three first-rounders, Toronto is receiving center Jonas Valanciunas from New Orleans and second-year forward T.J. Warren from Indiana.
Valanciunas returns for his second stint with the Raptors after being drafted by the franchise fifth overall back in 2011. The 30-year-old center is a solid veteran piece. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Warren has shown promise when healthy and fits nicely into the Raptors’ timeline as they prepare to develop their young core.
What Happens Next
The Pacers have positioned themselves as a threat in the East behind new acquisition Siakam and young star Haliburton in the backcourt. They could still be active ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, but the Siakam deal may be their major splash.
“We’ll continue to look at avenues to improve, whether through trades, free agent signings or the buyout market,” Buchanan said. “But this was our big swing, getting an elite player in Pascal to elevate us in the East.”
For the Raptors, everything now revolves around furthering the development of Barnes and the rest of their young talent. They could still make additional moves, but the Siakam deal signals a changing of the guard in Toronto.
“Although we are losing a great player in Pascal, we feel this trade positions us extremely well moving forward,” Ujiri said. “We’re eager to watch our young core continue to grow.”
Key Details of Pacers-Raptors Trade
Here is a summary of the key details in the blockbuster Pacers-Raptors trade:
Pacers receive:
- F Pascal Siakam
Raptors receive:
- G Bruce Brown
- C Jonas Valanciunas (from Pelicans)
- F/C T.J. Warren
- 2024 first-round pick (lottery protected from Pacers)
- 2026 first-round pick from Pacers (via Bucks)
- 2027 first round pick from Pacers
Pelicans receive:
- G Buddy Hield
- C Myles Turner (from Pacers)
This massive deal shakes up the landscape in the Eastern Conference, as Siakam heads to Indiana looking to lead the Pacers on a deep playoff run, while the Raptors embark on a youth-centered rebuild. Still, both teams could continue tweaking their rosters through additional deals prior to the trade deadline next month.
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