According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Toronto Raptors have agreed to trade two-time All-NBA forward and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers, in return for Bruce Brown and three first-round draft picks. Wojnarowski reports 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.”
Toronto is continuing to rebuild after the trade of O.G. Anunoby to the New York Knicks in December, in which the Raptors received 23-year-old RJ Barrett, 24-year-old Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick in return for Anunoby.
Siakam, 29, a two-time All-Star, joins All-Star point guard Tyrese Halliburton and two-way center Myles Turner as part of the core in Indiana if he remains with the Pacers. Siakam is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season while shooting 52.2% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point distance. Siakam is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason at the conclusion of a four-year, $137 million deal, when he’ll reportedly seek a max extension.
The 27-year-old Brown was a key player for the Denver Nuggets in their run to the NBA championship last season, signing a two-year, $45 million contract with the Pacers last offseason. He leaves Indiana after playing 33 games with the Pacers.
Editorial credit: DanGui / Shutterstock.com