Pascal Siakam

The Toronto Raptors apparently aren't done making moves this season.

After trading Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers and moving OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks, Raptors president Masai Ujiri said "definitely" when asked if there will be more trades ahead of the February deadline, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

This is quite the shift in strategy from last year.

While there was no shortage of rumors surrounding Toronto, it decided to not move any of its marquee pieces ahead of the 2023 deadline. That proved costly, as it ended up losing to the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament instead of enjoying a deep postseason run.

Then Fred VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets as a free agent.

Ujiri clearly didn't want to see Siakam and Anunoby leave for other teams without getting something in return after the VanVleet exit. Siakam is set for free agency during the upcoming offseason, while Anunoby has a player option for 2024-25 and could also become a free agent if he doesn't exercise it.

"The lines of communication were not that great …I apologized to him for it," Ujiri said of how the Siakam situation was handled over the last year, per Grange.

Shifting into something of a rebuilding mode makes sense for the Raptors, who are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference at 16-25. The roster that was constructed heading into the 2023-24 campaign was not going to compete for a championship, so focusing on future assets seems to be the correct approach.

In the Siakam trade alone, the Raptors landed three first-round picks. In the Anunoby trade, Toronto brought back 23-year-old RJ Barrett and a contract that extends through the 2026-27 campaign.

Perhaps Ujiri can use those picks and surround Barrett with several talented players in the coming years. There may even be more picks or young players coming if Toronto makes another move or two before February's deadline.

Pascal Siakam is excited to join the Indiana Pacers following his trade from the Toronto Raptors this week, and it appears one of the franchise's players ranked toward the top of his "dream" teammate wish list.

While Siakam has dreamed of playing with Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, Pacers center Myles Turner "was next up on his list of players with whom he would love to play," according to The Athletic's Sam Amick.

The Raptors traded Siakam to the Pacers on Wednesday in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks. He's set to become a free agent this summer.

However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that Siakam is "excited about the deal to the Pacers and expected to be eager to work out a new contract with the franchise this summer."

That said, it's not surprising to hear that Siakam had Turner atop his teammate wishlist.

The 29-year-old is now joining a talented roster headlined by Turner and Tyrese Haliburton, who have shouldered the scoring load this season in an effort to lead the Pacers into the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.

Turner is considered a much better center than Raptors veteran Jakob Poeltl, and that should open up the floor for Siakam to play some of his best basketball.

Siakam's numbers are down by his standards this season. He enters Indiana having averaged 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 39 games with the Raptors while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from deep.

However, it's possible Siakam's numbers will improve with the Pacers as opposing defenses will have to figure out how to cover him, Haliburton and Turner, which won't be easy.

It's unclear when Siakam will make his Indiana debut, though the Pacers will take on the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night looking to improve upon their 23-17 record.

Tyrese Haliburton may only be 23 years old, but his ascent to superstar status has made him so important to the Indiana Pacers that they sought his input before making the deal to acquire Pascal Siakam.

Per The Athletic's Sam Amick, Haliburton gave the Pacers a "hearty thumbs-up" when they presented him with the idea of playing with the two-time All-Star.

The Pacers sent Bruce Brown Jr., Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round draft picks and a conditional 2026 first-round pick to the Toronto Raptors for Siakam. The New Orleans Pelicans were also involved in the deal, sending Kira Lewis to Toronto and a future second-round pick to Indiana.

This type of deal is very uncharacteristic for the Pacers, but it's an indication of how strongly the front office believes in what this roster is capable of doing.

Even though Siakam is set to become a free agent this offseason and he's eligible for a five-year, $247 million contract, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski noted there is optimism a deal can be reached.

Few teams have been more fun to watch this NBA season than the Pacers. They are on pace to have the highest offensive rating in league history at 122.1 through 40 games. Their 125.6 points per game is the second-best all-time, trailing only the 126.5 mark from the 1981-82 Denver Nuggets.

Of course, the Pacers have needed every bit of that offensive output because their defense is not good. They have the fifth-worst defensive rating (120.0) and allow the second-most points per game (123.5).

Haliburton hasn't played since Jan. 8 due to a strained left hamstring. The Pacers' offensive production has slipped to 113.0 points per contest in four games without the All-Star guard.

The addition of Siakam gives the Pacers another proven scoring option. He's averaging 22.2 points per game on 52.2 percent shooting from the field this season. The 29-year-old has averaged more than 20 points per game every season since 2019-20.

Siakam's size and length will also make him extremely valuable on defense, where Myles Turner is the only capable player on that end of the court the Pacers have had. Siakam is capable of defending three different positions and is effective on or off the ball.

The Pacers (23-17) are currently the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, but there is only 1.5 games separating them from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth spot.

It appears a supermax contract was never in the cards for Pascal Siakam in Toronto.

The Toronto Raptors "didn't plan to pay Siakam the supermax even if he qualified for it," according to Sportnet's Michael Grange.

"An exception might be made if Siakam was first-team all-NBA, figured prominently in the MVP conversation, and led the Raptors on a deep playoff run," Grange added.

The Raptors traded Siakam to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Siakam was eligible to sign a four-year, $202.3 million extension with the Raptors prior to the trade. He would have also become eligible for a five-year supermax deal worth around $304 million if he made an All-NBA team in Toronto this year.

Now that he's a Pacer, Siakam is only eligible to sign a two-year extension in Indiana prior to the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He can sign a larger deal in free agency, which is expected.

While NBA insider Marc Stein reported Jan. 1 that Siakam would unlikely sign an extension if traded this winter, Wojnarowski reported Wednesday that the veteran forward "is excited about the deal to the Pacers and expected to be eager to work out a new contract with the franchise this summer."

Siakam was one of the hottest trade candidates on the market this winter alongside former Raptor OG Anunoby, who was traded to the New York Knicks prior to the deal between Toronto and Indiana.

Although the Raptors received some solid players in exchange for both Siakam and Anunoby, including Brown, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, the franchise is widely expected to enter a rebuild even before offloading two of its biggest stars.

Toronto is in the midst of a highly disappointing season, sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 15-25 record and boasting little chance to secure a playoff berth.

The Pacers, meanwhile, are hoping to contend for a title with a roster now headlined by Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner. The franchise sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 23-17 record and is just one game back of the No. 4 seed.

Siakam is a big upgrade from Jalen Smith, and it'll be interesting to see how the veteran works alongside Haliburton and Turner.

The Toronto Raptors have traded two-time All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Raps will also add guard Kira Lewis from the New Orleans Pelicans in the three-team deal.

Here's a look at how the Raptors are constructed post-trade, alongside notes on their 2024-25 salary cap.

Starting Lineup and Bench

• G Immanuel Quickley

• F/G RJ Barrett

• G/F Bruce Brown

• F/G Scottie Barnes

• C Jakob Poeltl (injured)

Remaining Roster

G Dennis Schröder, G Gary Trent Jr., F Chris Boucher, F Jalen McDaniels, G/F Gradey Dick, F Thaddeus Young, G Javon Freeman-Liberty, G/F Garrett Temple, G Kira Lewis, F Jordan Nwora, C Christian Koloko (illness), F Otto Porter Jr. (injured), G Markquis Nowell (two-way contract), F/C Jontay Porter

Salary Cap

As of now, the Raptors have a 2024-25 salary cap figure of $88,766,433 spread across R.J. Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Dennis Schröder, Chris Boucher, Scottie Barnes, Gradey Dick and Jalen McDaniels.

The Raptors already made a big move earlier this season by offloading OG Anunoby in a five-player deal with the New York Knicks. Now, the full rebuild is on.

It's fair to wonder whether the Raptors are done here. At this point, the team is embracing a full youth movement. Brown could be a candidate to be traded again with his attractive contract potentially going off the books in 2024-25 (team option).

The savvy, jack-of-all-trades veteran was a key piece to the Denver Nuggets' championship run last year, and he could be a possible asset elsewhere this year.

Poeltl probably isn't going anywhere given his contract, which may run through 2027 at $19.5 million per year if he picks up his 2026-27 player option. That prohibitive deal (plus an injured ankle) complicates matters as the Feb. 8 trade deadline nears, although like Brown, he would be a good addition to a rotation anywhere he goes.

Right now, though, the Raptors are playing for the future, developing the young talent they have and hoping to land stars down the road with their first-round picks. The books have been (mostly) well-cleared for the future too, so Raptors president Masai Ujiri has the foundation to get to work and potentially construct another perennial playoff and championship contender.

The Indiana Pacers bolstered their lineup on Wednesday in pursuit of a playoff berth with the reported acquisition of Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors.

The Pacers are acquiring Siakam from the Raptors in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The New Orleans Pelicans are also involved in the transaction, sending Kira Lewis to Toronto and a second-round pick to Indiana, Wojnarowski added.

Here's a look at Indiana's updated roster and salary cap following the deal.

Indiana Pacers' Updated 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap

PG: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Isaiah Wong

SG: Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin

SF: Aaron Nesmith

PF: Pascal Siakam, Jalen Smith, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker

C: Myles Turner, Isaiah Jackson, James Johnson

According to Spotrac, Indiana's updated salary is $131.9 million.

After reaching the inaugural in-season tournament finals in December, it was clear the Pacers had the talent to contend for a postseason berth.

However, it was also evident that the franchise needed another piece if they hoped to be among the Eastern Conference's top title contenders this year.

Siakam was one of the hottest names on the trade market this winter. In addition to the Pacers, the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons were also reportedly interested in his services.

The addition of Siakam to an Indiana starting lineup that is headlined by Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner and also includes Buddy Hield and Aaron Nesmith should allow the Pacers to better contend for a top-five seed in the East.

Siakam will take over at the power forward position for Jalen Smith, who is averaging just 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 27 games this season.

Siakam had spent his entire career in Toronto and he represents a major upgrade at the position for the Pacers. While his numbers are down by his standards, he's still averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 39 games this season while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from deep.

The Pacers are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 23-17 record, eight games back of the first-place Boston Celtics and just one game back of the No. 4 seed.

It's unclear when Siakam will make his debut with the Pacers, but Indiana is back in action on Thursday against the Kings before taking on the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

The end of an era has occurred in Toronto, as the Raptors traded two-time All-NBA forward and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Raptors waived Christian Koloko to complete the deal.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who initially broke the news of the trade, reported additional details on the 2024 draft picks that Toronto will receive:

ESPN's Bobby Marks posted more information on the trade:

Wojnarowski reported Siakam "is excited about the deal to the Pacers and expected to be eager to work out a new contract with the franchise this summer."

The Raptors have been floundering this season after finishing at or above .500 in nine of the past 10 campaigns. Toronto already made one big deal, sending OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick.

That move only led to more Raptors trade rumors, with the impending free agent in Siakam as a centerpiece.

Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported on Jan. 5 that "chatter among NBA executives surrounding Siakam's potential landing spots has now centered on" the Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Pacers and Sacramento Kings.

Charania reported on the same day that the Raps were "ramping up talks" on Siakam. He later added that the Kings had removed themselves from those discussions.

So it isn't a surprise that Siakam is finally gone, although it's a very tough loss for the franchise given his incredible career and legacy.

Toronto has been home for Siakam since he entered the NBA in 2016 as a rookie out of New Mexico State. Two years later, he became an integral part of the team's first-ever championship season, posting 16.9 points and 6.9 rebounds as a full-time starter.

The Cameroon-born player eventually became the team's No. 1 star after Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry left in free agency. He enjoyed great success in Toronto in recent years, making the All-Star team in 2019-20 and 2022-23.

Siakam signed a four-year, $136.9 million contract to stay in town. That deal ends in 2024.

And now Siakam's time in Toronto is over. A new chapter in Indiana has begun, though. That's a big win for the team with Siakam still in his prime and showcasing his abilities as a productive scorer and rebounder on a nightly basis.

Siakam heads to the Pacers, who haven't won a playoff game since 2018 or made the postseason at all since 2020.

Indiana has gone in the wrong direction since the end of the Paul George era, but the team has some hope now with All-Star Tyrese Haliburton running the show. He'll be aboard long term after inking a five-year, $260 million contract.

But the Pacers could use another star alongside Haliburton to ease the scoring and usage burdens on a nightly basis. Enter Siakam, who could be a great fit in Indiana as the team looks to get back to the playoffs following a 35-47 season.