Perhaps the first big trade of the 2023-24 NBA season went down on Wednesday when the Indiana Pacers landed Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in a three-team deal.
Siakam, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward who has been selected to two All-Star Games, has been rumored to be on the trading block for a while, and he should help the upstart Pacers right away.
Center Myles Turner said that acquiring Siakam means the Pacers are “ready to win now,” per SiriusXM NBA Radio.
"We're ready to win now"
🏀: @Pacers Center @Original_Turner explains what the Pascal Siakam trade means to them #BoomBaby @RickKamlaSports | @adaniels33 pic.twitter.com/QV1JWEkZMg
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 19, 2024
Siakam is averaging an efficient 22.2 points a game this season, and he should fit in well with the fast-breaking Pacers.
They’re leading the league in scoring, field-goal percentage, offensive rating, and assists per game, and they have a chance to set the league record for highest team scoring average in a season.
Siakam will give Indiana a legitimate second scoring option next to Tyrese Haliburton while taking pressure off Turner, who is putting up 17.2 points a game but isn’t a big scoring threat, to be a go-to guy.
While they have a 23-17 record and are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, one shouldn’t expect them to make a deep playoff run this year, as they’re 27th in defensive rating.
However, the Pacers are early in their development process, and getting Siakam should set them up for greater success later on, assuming they sign him to a long-term contract.
He will be a free agent this summer, which was one of the reasons the Raptors were looking to trade him in the first place.
NEXT: Pacers Are Waiving Notable Veteran