Tyrese Haliburton’s Grade 1 hamstring strain, which will keep him out for at least two weeks, saved the Indiana Pacers from a significant setback. Haliburton should return in February, and by then, normal programming should continue for the Pacers, who’ve been one of the most interesting teams to watch in the league.
However, while Haliburton recovers from his injury, the Pacers risk facing the same demons that tormented them last season. Haliburton missed ten games in January 2023 due to a knee injury, and Indiana finished the season 1-9. That stretch effectively knocked them out of the postseason chase. They would not want to repeat the same error.
With less than a month until the trade deadline, now might be the best moment for the Pacers to make a trade or two to provide the team with the necessary weaponry to hold the fort in the wake of Tyrese Haliburton’s injury. Furthermore, these additions could help Indiana establish a better two-way balance, as they are currently leaning too heavily on the offensive end of the spectrum.
Given recent team changes, the Pacers should seek these transactions as soon as possible.
Pacers won the Pascal Siakam sweepstakes.
Pacers receive: Pascal Siakam.
Raptors receive Buddy Hield, Jarace Walker, Jalen Smith, 2024 OKC/LAC/UTA/HOU first-round selection, and 2025 lottery-protected IND first-round pick.
The Pacers have been ripe for a consolidation trade for quite some time; they’ve accumulated some impressive depth over the last few seasons, relegating Jarace Walker, the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, out of the rotation, while Buddy Hield, who appeared to have reclaimed his starting job over the last month or so, is back to working off the bench.
Even after acquiring Obi Toppin this offseason, the Pacers might benefit from a significant boost at power forward in the future if they want to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Enter Pascal Siakam.
Siakam is a gifted offensive player who can provide enough points on his own to keep the Pacers competitive in Tyrese Haliburton’s absence. He is a mismatch at the four because he can muscle his way to the hoop and create havoc from the midpost. Furthermore, if Haliburton recovers, Siakam could benefit, since he is a dynamic backup ballhandler who can easily cut past defenses while displaying exceptional court vision and scoring touch for his size.
Pascal Siakam’s defensive workload is also under the radar. He was a key member of the Raptors’ stifling defensive units during their championship run in the late 2010s and early 2020s, since he’s big enough to operate as a deterrent around the rim and has the mobility to cover opposing wings and switch onto opposing guard.
The Pacers need Siakam’s two-way versatility. Aaron Nesmith, at his current level of play, is too tiny for some matches. Meanwhile, Jalen Smith possesses the abilities of a rim-protecting stretch four but the speed of a centre. Obi Toppin is a nuisance to deal with in transition, but his defense is far from ideal.
In terms of what the Pacers will give up, selling Jarace Walker before he has a chance to show himself may be difficult to stomach. However, the Pacers will receive an All-Star player in exchange, accelerating their competitive timeline. They may be unable to afford the patience required to get the most out of Walker. The Raptors, now rebuilding, might be that club instead.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have clearly soured on Hield in comparison to prior seasons, preferring to give the majority of wing minutes to players such as Bruce Brown, Benedict Mathurin, and Aaron Nesmith. Hield is also an upcoming free agent with whom the Pacers have made no progress in contract extension talks, making it easier for the organization to consider selling him.
At the end of the day, the Pacers should only feel comfortable proposing the above package if Pascal Siakam demonstrates a willingness to re-sign with the organization for the long term.