The Feb. 8 NBA commerce deadline should still a number of weeks away, however that hasn’t stopped the Toronto Raptors from getting lively in overhauling their roster. Simply over two weeks after sending O.G. Anunoby to the New York Knicks, Toronto is now reportedly on the verge of delivery Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers.
Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic are reporting that the Raptors and Pacers are in “lively talks” on a deal that will ship Siakam — a mainstay within the rumor mill for a number of seasons now — to Indiana in change for 3 first-round picks:
Bruce Brown Jr. would possible be the vast majority of the wage filler going from the Pacers, Charania and Amick report, however Indiana would nonetheless possible want so as to add about $8 million in wage to make this commerce authorized (for instance, T.J. McConnell’s inclusion would make it work, though The Athletic’s story doesn’t report any extra names past Brown).
Former Grizzlies govt John Hollinger supplied up two different hypothetical commerce packages that will work on the location previously referred to as Twitter:
Re: Indy-Siakam report by our @ShamsCharania : Brown-Nwora-Toppin will get you to a wage match; Nwora hardly ever performs and Siakam would change Toppin, and all three are expiring (Tm-opt on Brown). Indy might additionally take Otto Porter into cap room as a part of a commerce.
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) January 17, 2024
What picks can the Pacers ship?
Charania and Amick’s story doesn’t point out which first-round picks could be concerned, however Indiana at present owns a 2024 first-round decide from the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Houston Rockets, L.A. Clippers or Utah Jazz (it’s a particularly sophisticated swap, the small print of which may be examine right here), in addition to their very own 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 picks, that means they’ve a little bit of a decide surplus as they proceed to construct round ascending star Tyrese Halliburton.
However even when a kind of reported firsts is the janky swap one — and one or two of the Pacers’ personal are protected — it’s nonetheless a steep worth to pay for Siakam, who may be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season. Nevertheless, as a non-glamor vacation spot and smaller market, Indiana could really feel that’s what they should do to get a working mate for Halliburton who might help them win now.
And whereas we’d clearly by no means recommend that tampering occurs within the NBA, it might appear possible that Siakam’s reps at Life Sports activities Company (which additionally reps Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard) have some kind of understanding with Indiana about Siakam’s future if the Pacers are prepared to pay such a hefty worth in draft capital to deliver him in for half a season.
For the Raptors, this deal would firmly cement their retool for the long run round Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley transferring ahead.
Will this deal truly occur?
That’s not sure. Earlier this month, Charania reported that the Raptors and Kings have been “ramping up commerce talks” centered round Siakam earlier than reporting later the identical day that the Kings had “pulled out of the Pascal Siakam commerce talks,” which we are able to guess was possible resulting from Siakam letting or not it’s identified he wouldn’t keep in Sacramento. It’s all the time potential we get an analogous leak right here, however for now, it appears fairly potential Siakam will probably be a Pacer quickly.
This breaking information story could also be up to date with extra data and evaluation because it continues to develop. For extra on the Raptors’ perspective on this transfer, take a look at Raptors HQ.