After keeping him in trade rumors all season long, the Toronto Raptors have ultimately executed a deal for Pascal Siakam. In a noteworthy exchange, the Raptors have sent their star player to the Indiana Pacers in return for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks. In a separate trade announcement, the New Orleans Pelicans dealt Kira Lewis Jr. and a 2024 second-round pick to the Pacers. With that, the Pacers promptly sent Lewis to the Raptors.

Pascal Siakam has been with the Raptors for all eight of his NBA seasons. He won an NBA title in 2019, playing a huge part in helping the Raptors raise their maiden championship banner. In the current season, he is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season. This season, the Raptors are the league leaders in fast-break points per game. Siakam is expected to make a flawless transition, since the Pacers possess a similar fast-paced approach, standing as the highest-scoring team in the league.

Scottie Barnes reflects on Pascal Siakam’s trade

Discussing the trade, Scottie Barnes recently reflected on the departure of his teammate due to the transaction. Initially, he expressed admiration for Siakam’s work ethic, emphasizing the brotherly bond they shared. Despite feeling a sense of sadness, Barnes then proceeded to acknowledge the bright future that awaits both of them. “He showed his love every single day. Came to the gym put in work on his craft. I love him as a brother. It hurts. But we gotta keep going, keep fighting. Better things are coming for him,” Barnes shares.

According to sources, Siakam is excited about the new opportunity. However, in July 2024, Pascal is set to become a free agent through his existing contract. Currently earning over $30 million, he is expected to negotiate a deal with the Pacers upcoming summer.

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Despite the season reaching its half for several teams, the Pacers and Raptors will face off three times in the remaining stretch. Their next game will be on 14 February.

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Siakam can help the Pacers climb higher

Already making waves with their impressive offense this season, the Indiana Pacers made their intentions clearer by adding Pascal Siakam to their roster. The team is addressing its defensive vulnerabilities that linger behind its dominant offensive performance, given that defense can determine a team’s playoff success.

Boasting the title of the highest-scoring team, the Pacers rank as the sixth-best 3-point shooting team and lead the league in assists (largely due to star pg Tyrese Haliburton). However, their defensive struggles have been evident. They tend to give up 119.5 points per 100 possessions, resulting in the 13th-best defense in the league.

With the acquisition of Siakam, the franchise aims to bolster its defensive schemes, hoping that the strategic move will propel them up the standings and position them better for the playoff race.

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