On Wednesday, the Indiana Pacers acquired All-Star forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in return for three first-round draft selections, Bruce Brown, and Jordan Nwora.
Three first-round picks are from the Pacers in 2026; two are 2024 selections, one of which is Indiana’s. ESPN reports that the other 2024 first-round pick is the lesser of a Utah/Houston/Oklahoma City/LA Clippers selection.
The third team in the trade, the New Orleans Pelicans, transferred a 2024 second-round pick to Indiana and Kira Lewis Jr. to the Raptors.
“Pascal is a champion, an essential component of winning teams, and an example of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, hard work, and tenacity,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a statement. We consider ourselves fortunate to have witnessed Pascal grow into the man and player he has become, and we are appreciative of all he has done for our community and our team. We hope the best for him.”
“We’re extremely excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana,” said Kevin Pritchard, president of basketball operations for the Pacers, in a statement. Our organisation has always appreciated and valued Pascal, a player who was selected to the All-NBA team twice and who was also named an NBA All Star twice. We believe that his special offensive skill set will fit in well with our playing philosophy and that his defensive adaptability will be a great asset to the club.”
The 29-year-old Siakam is nearing the end of a $136.9 million, four-year contract. Should he not sign an extension with the Pacers, he will be eligible for free agency this offseason. Siakam is keen to negotiate a new contract with the Pacers in the summer, according to ESPN.
In 39 starts this season, the two-time All-Star is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. 52.2 percent of his shots are coming from the floor. He’s been a player in Toronto for more than seven seasons. His career point average is 17.4. The Raptors drafted him with the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and he assisted Toronto in winning the 2019 NBA Finals.
After winning a championship with the Denver Nuggets the previous season, 27-year-old Brown was in his first season with the Pacers. Through 33 games (all starts), he has averaged 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists this season. After six seasons in the league, the Raptors will be his fifth team.
This season, Nwora, 25, has averaged 5.2 points in 18 games (no starts).
With no starts this season, Lewis, 22, is averaging 2.9 points in 15 games. In the 2020 draft, the Pelicans selected him with the 13th overall pick.