Things are heating up between the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers.
Both teams could be on the verge of striking a major trade involving Pascal Siakam.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick, the Raptors and Pacers are in active talks on a trade centered around Siakam.
Charania and Amick revealed the current trade package being discussed:
“The Raptors and Pacers are actively engaged in trade talks centered around two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam that would send him to Indiana for a package that includes Bruce Brown Jr., other salaries and three first-round draft picks, league sources tell The Athletic.”
If the Pacers are willing to give up three first-round picks that shows how serious they are in acquiring Siakam.
Now don’t expect Indiana’s filler in this deal to be one of their two top young assets in Jarace Walker or Bennedict Mathurn.
It’s been reported that the Pacers are unwilling to move either one them in a trade.
Therefore, the salary filler which would have to be at least $8.3 million can come in a deal involving Obi Toppin and Jordan Nwora. Or a deal involving both Toppin and Jalen Smith works as well.
If the Raptors aren’t going to get Walker or Mathurin in a deal for Siakam then the next best thing is to acquire future first-rounders.
Per Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy, here are the future first-round picks the Pacers currently own:
Pacers picks they own: pic.twitter.com/k3KSDUdnyG
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) January 17, 2024
Raptors ready to move on
While nothing is imminent, it does seem like things are getting close to finalization. The Raptors have made it clear that they are retooling after they made the trade for O.G. Anunoby. The franchise has elected to go in a youth movement. The goal now seems to be building around Scottie Barnes.
Siakam is set to become an unrestricted free agent and will demand a max contract. Therefore, it’s time for the Raptors to move on from him and Indiana would be a destination that makes perfect sense for the two-time All-Star.
Siakam paired next to Haliburton would give the Pacers a lethal duo in the Eastern Conference.
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