The Indiana Pacers made the first blockbuster trade of the NBA season, landing Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. It had long been rumored that Siakam would be on the move. Many teams were rumored to be in on the sweepstakes, but the Pacers gave an offer Toronto couldn’t refuse. With any trade like this, there is one vital question. Are the Indiana Pacers among the Eastern Conference elite after getting Pascal Siakam?
Indiana Pacers Land Pascal Siakam
Let’s start with the details of the trade.
Raptors receive:
- Bruce Brown (via Pacers)
- Jordan Nwora (via Pacers)
- Kira Lewis (via Pelicans)
- Two 2024 first-round picks (via Pacers)
- 2026 first-round pick (via Pacers)
Pacers receive:
- Pascal Siakam (via Raptors)
- Future second-round pick (via Pelicans)
One of the first-round picks for 2024 is owned by the Pacers, while the other is the lesser of a Utah/Houston/LA Clippers/Oklahoma City pick. The other is the Pacers 2026 first-round pick.
Indiana Pacers: Pascal Siakam Trade Package Analysis
The Indiana Pacers gave up very little to acquire Pascal Siakam. They did not have to give up Benedict Mathurin or Jarace Walker. Buddy Hield stays on the roster, allowing the team to make another move or keep the talented shooter. The picks are the price of doing business, but the Pacers aren’t in a position where they need more talent. Indiana has their franchise cornerstone in Tyrese Haliburton. With Mathurin and Walker still on the roster, the Pacers have a young core to build around.
The Pacers should be in the mix for the Eastern Conference for the next three to four years. This team will be competitive if they can re-sign Siakam and get a couple of other veteran pieces. This means both Indiana first-round picks will be somewhere in the late teens or early twenties. While talent can be found anywhere in the draft, giving up a couple of picks in the late first round for a past NBA champion is a good move.
Current NBA Standings
The Pacers are currently the sixth seed in the NBA, 8.5 games back from the first-place Boston Celtics. It is unlikely that they, or anyone, will catch Boston unless a major injury happens. However, the rest of the conference is within striking distance. The 2nd- 8th-place teams are all within six games of each other. The Milwaukee Bucks are in a solid second place, followed by the 76ers and the Cavaliers. The Miami Heat sit one spot ahead of the Pacers. Indiana has to watch behind them as the Knicks and Magic look to get into the playoff picture.
Where Does This Move Put Indiana?
The good news for the Pacers is the Eastern Conference looks wide open outside of Boston. Every team has a fatal flaw, which might be why the Indiana Pacers decided to pull the trigger on a Pascal Siakam trade. The Milwaukee Bucks are struggling on defense, and the Pacers have had their number in the regular season. Philadelphia has been hot and cold, but Joel Embiid has been dealing with injuries this season. Cleveland hasn’t taken a leap since last season, and the Miami Heat feel like they are missing a piece.
With the addition of Siakam, I have the Pacers as the fourth-best team in the Eastern Conference. Siakam brings a championship pedigree as well as a defensive presence. He can help shut down the team’s best player. There are no questions about Indiana’s offense, but their defense has hemorrhaged points. Even if Siakam only improves the defense a little, it will still make a huge impact. Milwaukee and Philadelphia have better overall rosters, though the gap has definitely closed. Boston is in a class of their own, but the Bucks, 76ers, and Pacers are very even after this trade.
Good Trade For The Pacers
This was a great move for the Pacers. They didn’t have to give up a lot of players. Losing Brown hurts a little, but it isn’t a huge loss. Giving up picks is the price of doing business in the NBA. The team might not be done. As mentioned, Hield could be a player who helps the team acquire a better fit to make a championship run. Regardless, the team improved with this trade and kept their young players and depth. The Indiana Pacers hope Pascal Siakam can help this team make a leap. Getting integrated may take a couple of weeks, but the Pacers may be a team primed for a jump in the standings.
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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