Official: Pacers Acquire Pascal Siakam

[Duffman100]

Y'all got a good one. Pascal is great, treat him well.

[Grang33r]

From Sportsnet's Michael Grange, saying Pacers had Mathurin, Nembhard and Walker as untouchables in trade talks.

The sense was, per league sources, that since the Indiana Pacers were determined to hold firm and not include any of their top young talent in a trade — not Ben Mathurin, the second-year lottery pick from Montreal, not Andrew Nembhard, the fast-rising second-round pick from the same draft who the Raptors have been coveting since he blew them away in a pre-draft workout in the summer of 2022, and not Jarace Walker, the wide-bodied power-forward the Pacers took 8th overall this past June — the Raptors would let things spool out a little bit more.

Link- https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-face-near-impossible-challenge-of-replicating-siakam-success-story/

[Grang33r]

Now it's officially, official. Siakam will wear #43.

https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indiana-pacers-acquire-two-time-all-star-pascal-siakam

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana,” said President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “As a two-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA All Star, Pascal is a player that our organization has long admired and respected. We feel that his unique offensive skillset will complement our style of play, while his defensive versatility will be a valuable asset to our team.”

[Wizop]

The official team announcement has been made.

[Pacers Forever]

Scott Agness: Pascal Siakam plans to fly to Indy for a physical examination, then join the Pacers in Portland, league source told @FieldhouseFiles. Story to come on the trade. fieldhousefiles.com 10 hours ago – via Twitter ScottAgness

[Mark_83]

With ideal spacing Pascal is unstoppable in the post. He'll either get all the way to the basket or pass it to a cutter for an open shot. You'll also see his 3 point shooting percentage sky rocket once he's primarily shooting off the catch and not off the dribble as the primary creator. He can also guard 1-4 on switches which should help your defense.

[JMaster5K]

So what do you think from here?.... If Woj is right and he wants to resign in FA,.. do you think he goes 1+1,.. with the 30% max,.. then opts out & resigns at the 35% max? or wants the security of having the longer term deal, but at the lower value?....

I think he’d take the 5 year max, but your suggesting is very, very possible, too.

From a Raps fan perspective, Pascal (rightly) wants to take care of himself, but he's not a FVV 'bet on yourself over everything' type of guy.

If he can get the 5 year max, I don't think he'll pass that up to take a shorter contract and go for the supermax afterwards.

@Parataxis

Thank you. It's always good to hear from fans that have followed him longer than we have,... not that that means much with us following him for like 12 hours,... LOL,.. but I hope you take the sentiment,.. =}

[Scoot McGroot]

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[JMaster5K]

I see Smith getting offers of $10m+ per year, probably more. Would love him to stay but he’s probably worth more elsewhere sadly.

He might have to look for a starting spot at center, no matter the money.

Ironically exactly the sort of player the suns are crying out for. I hope he actually gets a starting spot somewhere, he’s been great this season.

With the new CBA, the non-tax MLE is projected at $12,951,000 next year. If the cap goes up the full 10%, that become $13,650,000. That's what the cap teams would have available to offer Stix? There are a lot of cap-space teams next year, but only maybe 6 need a 5 and would be positioned to make an above the MLE, 'take out' offer for Stix (like we did with Bruce this year). So, there is some competition, but I don't think it would be overwhelming?

I could see SA, OKC, Brook - potentially being interested. Ironically, the team that might be in the best position to offer him a starting spot and real playing time, with the cap space to make a real offer & still make other moves,... IMO, is Toronto.

[JMaster5K]

Now it's officially, official. Siakam will wear #43.

https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indiana-pacers-acquire-two-time-all-star-pascal-siakam

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Pascal to Indiana,” said President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “As a two-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA All Star, Pascal is a player that our organization has long admired and respected. We feel that his unique offensive skillset will complement our style of play, while his defensive versatility will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Not reading anything into it,.. but that's been my lucky number since 7th grade,.... Now I gotta start saving for a jersey,.. LOL =/

[JMaster5K]

I want to make one thing perfectly clear I like Siakam as a player, but I don't think he will resign and this team can't give him $45 million per year with raises. Just look at 2025-26 Haliburton will make $35 million, with Pascal at $42 million and then Turner at $30 million that is $107 million for just 3 guys. Then you have to start resigning players. Hello Luxury tax and still not good enough to beat Boston in the East.

This is a waste it's desperation.

I’ll take the other side of this. You know the cap is going up right? $45m in a couple of seasons will feel like $30m feels now. Remember the outcry when CJ McCollum got his deal and fans couldn’t comprehend him getting $30m?

This isn’t just any old player, this is the right player. Siakam fits Indy like a glove. His two man game with Hali will be elite right away, Siakam is elite in the dribble hand off game, he can get his own shot, he can initiate offense, he can hit trailing 3s and he can bully his way to the hoop. We don’t have any player even remotely close to this.

Also, Indiana isn’t Miami or LA or NY. Cap space is fun to have but doesn’t win you games, players win, and historically the top ones haven’t come to the circle city. This is how the pacers have to build their roster, accruing assets and then spending them when the right piece becomes available.

I’m hyped to see this team play.

Saw this & had to go to spotrac. LOL 8/

Looking at the center salaries out there now,... & increasing them to a 25-26 timeframe... I have to think Myles new contract, if resigned, would be in the 25 - 28 M range? Maybe if there's more competition that year,. it could be a bit higher,.. but I was forecasting his starting salary that year around 26M.

With Pascal in his second year of a new, 30% max contract (46,008,000),.. and Haliburtons projections from Spotrac (38,340,000), the total is $110,348,000. The project cap for 25-26 is $156,200,000. This would make up 70.64% of the cap. More than enough space available (assuming we will be an 'over the cap', non-tax team) to have a good, even contending team. If the cap goes up 10% each year (it has the last 2) instead of the projections, the cap in 25-26 would be $164,585,410, and these 3 would make up 67% of the cap.

Once again,.. when I get into the details, I have to compliment the FO. By doing this now,... yeah, we've lost some flexibility, but it doesn't look like we've really compromised anything?.... thoughts?

(yes, if the cap goes up 10% for next year, then Siakam cap hit would also go up by 2.2M, but that wouldn't make a huge amount of difference.) With the tax apron, based on the projections & not a 10% increase, projected at $189.2M, that would leave us around $79M to fill out the team?

[JMaster5K]

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I'm gonna miss that 2026 pick,.. supposed to be a good draft,... =}

[Topofthekey]

The Pacers did not give up much to get Siakam but giving him a massive long-term contract at 30 years old is not ideal

This 100%

Pacers gave up 1 FRP too many imo, but that's not the main problem

The main problem is Siakam's going to be 30 when/if he signs a new contract with Pacers

I would really hate this trade if it means we end up not being able to re-sign Turner or Mathurin because we chose to pay Siakam instead

[JMaster5K]

The Pacers did not give up much to get Siakam but giving him a massive long-term contract at 30 years old is not ideal

This 100%

Pacers gave up 1 FRP too many imo, but that's not the main problem

The main problem is Siakam's going to be 30 when/if he signs a new contract with Pacers

I would really hate this trade if it means we end up not being able to re-sign Turner or Mathurin because we chose to pay Siakam instead

I-Jax is an RFA in 25-26. Mathurin in 26-27. Jarace & Sheppard in 27-28. Those would be the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years of a Siakam contract. Considering the growth in the cap, it could be tight, but IMO,.. we should be ok. If it turns out that Mathurin, Jarace, and Sheppard are all in line for max rookie extensions,.. then we will have to pay some tax,... but I can't say there isn't a really good side to that problem. LOL =]

[Scoot McGroot]

I want to make one thing perfectly clear I like Siakam as a player, but I don't think he will resign and this team can't give him $45 million per year with raises. Just look at 2025-26 Haliburton will make $35 million, with Pascal at $42 million and then Turner at $30 million that is $107 million for just 3 guys. Then you have to start resigning players. Hello Luxury tax and still not good enough to beat Boston in the East.

This is a waste it's desperation.

I’ll take the other side of this. You know the cap is going up right? $45m in a couple of seasons will feel like $30m feels now. Remember the outcry when CJ McCollum got his deal and fans couldn’t comprehend him getting $30m?

This isn’t just any old player, this is the right player. Siakam fits Indy like a glove. His two man game with Hali will be elite right away, Siakam is elite in the dribble hand off game, he can get his own shot, he can initiate offense, he can hit trailing 3s and he can bully his way to the hoop. We don’t have any player even remotely close to this.

Also, Indiana isn’t Miami or LA or NY. Cap space is fun to have but doesn’t win you games, players win, and historically the top ones haven’t come to the circle city. This is how the pacers have to build their roster, accruing assets and then spending them when the right piece becomes available.

I’m hyped to see this team play.

Saw this & had to go to spotrac. LOL 8/

Looking at the center salaries out there now,... & increasing them to a 25-26 timeframe... I have to think Myles new contract, if resigned, would be in the 25 - 28 M range? Maybe if there's more competition that year,. it could be a bit higher,.. but I was forecasting his starting salary that year around 26M.

With Pascal in his second year of a new, 30% max contract (46,008,000),.. and Haliburtons projections from Spotrac (38,340,000), the total is $110,348,000. The project cap for 25-26 is $156,200,000. This would make up 70.64% of the cap. More than enough space available (assuming we will be an 'over the cap', non-tax team) to have a good, even contending team. If the cap goes up 10% each year (it has the last 2) instead of the projections, the cap in 25-26 would be $164,585,410, and these 3 would make up 67% of the cap.

Once again,.. when I get into the details, I have to compliment the FO. By doing this now,... yeah, we've lost some flexibility, but it doesn't look like we've really compromised anything?.... thoughts?

(yes, if the cap goes up 10% for next year, then Siakam cap hit would also go up by 2.2M, but that wouldn't make a huge amount of difference.) With the tax apron, based on the projections & not a 10% increase, projected at $189.2M, that would leave us around $79M to fill out the team?

It’s also important to remember that the luxury tax gets MUCH less punitive in the first $10m range over the tax starting in 2025-26. What is currently $26.25m in penalty payments for being $10m over the tax will soon be only $11.25m in penalties. So, even if they end up over the tax one year, it’s not near,y as terrible as it has been. There’s a lot more flexibility there.

[Topofthekey]

The Pacers did not give up much to get Siakam but giving him a massive long-term contract at 30 years old is not ideal

This 100%

Pacers gave up 1 FRP too many imo, but that's not the main problem

The main problem is Siakam's going to be 30 when/if he signs a new contract with Pacers

I would really hate this trade if it means we end up not being able to re-sign Turner or Mathurin because we chose to pay Siakam instead

I-Jax is an RFA in 25-26. Mathurin in 26-27. Jarace & Sheppard in 27-28. Those would be the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years of a Siakam contract. Considering the growth in the cap, it could be tight, but IMO,.. we should be ok. If it turns out that Mathurin, Jarace, and Sheppard are all in line for max rookie extensions,.. then we will have to pay some tax,... but I can't say there isn't a really good side to that problem. LOL =]

Yea, we'll just have to see what happens

But I have a feeling that we're probably going to lose at least one of Turner or Mathurin due to salary issues

It reminds me of the time they had to trade Brad Miller for Scott Pollard

With Siakam's addition we're already pretty much guaranteed to lose Toppin and Smith in free agency

This trade isn't just Brown + FRPs for Siakam, it effectively is Brown + FRPs + Toppin + Smith + possibly Turner and/or Mathurin for Siakam

[Scoot McGroot]

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[Scoot McGroot]

This 100%

Pacers gave up 1 FRP too many imo, but that's not the main problem

The main problem is Siakam's going to be 30 when/if he signs a new contract with Pacers

I would really hate this trade if it means we end up not being able to re-sign Turner or Mathurin because we chose to pay Siakam instead

I-Jax is an RFA in 25-26. Mathurin in 26-27. Jarace & Sheppard in 27-28. Those would be the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years of a Siakam contract. Considering the growth in the cap, it could be tight, but IMO,.. we should be ok. If it turns out that Mathurin, Jarace, and Sheppard are all in line for max rookie extensions,.. then we will have to pay some tax,... but I can't say there isn't a really good side to that problem. LOL =]

Yea, we'll just have to see what happens

But I have a feeling that we're probably going to lose at least one of Turner or Mathurin due to salary issues

It reminds me of the time they had to trade Brad Miller for Scott Pollard

With Siakam's addition we're already pretty much guaranteed to lose Toppin and Smith in free agency

You might be right that we lose those ups, but it’s not because of Siakam’s salary. We’re going to lose Toppin because we got an insanely better option there in Siakam, and we will need minutes for Walker. We’re not going to offer a qualifying offer to Toppin to be a 3rd PF and risk he takes the one year deal for too much money. We might lose Smith, but probably more so because he should be looking for a starting spot somewhere that we can’t offer him.

This trade isn't just Brown + FRPs for Siakam, it effectively is Brown + FRPs + Toppin + Smith + possibly Turner and/or Mathurin for Siakam

Heartily disagree. Toppin and Smith are unrelated to a Siakam acquisition, and if they were, I take Siakam 11 times out of 10 over those two.

Turner, Nembhard, and Mathurin depend entirely on how we manage our books going forward outside of Haliburton and Siakam. Bad MLE signings would be more of an issue toward keeping those two than a Siakam acquisition.

[YogurtProducer]

With ideal spacing Pascal is unstoppable in the post. He'll either get all the way to the basket or pass it to a cutter for an open shot. You'll also see his 3 point shooting percentage sky rocket once he's primarily shooting off the catch and not off the dribble as the primary creator. He can also guard 1-4 on switches which should help your defense.

As a Raptors fan - that is not gonna happen.

He was pretty much only taking catch and shoot 3's in Toronto this season and shot 34.9% on catch and shoot 3's this season which is similar to his entire career.

That bein said - he is unstoppable in single coverage in the post especially on mismatches. He is going to feast with all your space.

[Tom White]

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This is the real story of unintended consequences from the trade for Siakam. When the front office looked at the numbers they needed to prepare to pay him going forward, they decided the budget needed trimmed somewhere. The most obvious place to get at least part of that money was from the uniform design budget. Thus, this is what they were forced to settle for. Such a sad day. HA!