Even though Toronto Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam is one of the best in the game at his position, Masai Ujiri has found it difficult to officially close a trade that will send him elsewhere. Teams seem to be balking at some exorbitant demands for the soon-to-be free agent.
With the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors refusing to part with either Keegan Murray or Jonathan Kuminga, respectively, in a Siakam trade, talks with these two Western Conference contenders have fizzled out. Even with all of the rumors, one team remains steadfastly in the hunt.
The Indiana Pacers have built a lightspeed offense around Tyrese Haliburton that can pile up points in a hurry, but they need one more star level player as a running mate if they want to become a contender in the Eastern Conference. With Obi Toppin starting at power forward, Siakam carries a much higher ceiling.
If the Raptors and Pacers are going to get a deal done that brings an end to Siakam's Toronto tenure, Ujiri needs to go into talks with an eye on securing these three players. Doing so gives Toronto more immediate weapons and assets that will be part of a longer rebuild.
3 Indiana Pacers players the Toronto Raptors must target in Pascal Siakam trade talks.
3. SG Buddy Hield
The Raptors will find it almost impossible to pull off a trade with the Pacers that doesn't include Hield coming up to Toronto. While he likely viewed as just salary filler, Toronto will get an up-close look at him and see if the veteran guard is worth keeping around as a free agent signing.
Hield's value, as it has for most of his career, will lie almost entirely on his 3-point shooting ability. Hield is currently shooting just under eight attempts per game from 3-point range this season, making around 38% of them. If he does that on this Raptors team, the offense will keep rolling along.
The Toronto Raptors could use a shooter like Buddy Hield.
While the Raptors likely envisioned that Gradey Dick would fill the role Hield would end up manning in Toronto, the fact he is so far behind where they thought he would be in the pre-draft process has opened a spot for a bench gunner who can further help this team's suddenly effective offense.
The Raptors have been a much more effective offensive squad after the RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley additions, partially because the spacing and shooting has been so much better. Why not reinforce a strength with Hield, all while getting a chance to examine a potential Gary Trent Jr. replacement?
2. SF Aaron Nesmith
With Bennedict Mathurin likely too talented to be considered a possible trade chip by Indiana, and Andrew Nembhard likely to play a less-than-impactful role due to Quickley and the hypothetical Hield move, Nesmith on the wing could be another solid shooter whom the Pacers might actually think about dealing.
Nesmith has connected on a preposterous 45% of his 3-pointers this season, which should be more than enough to get Toronto interested in the former No. 14 overall pick. While not an amazing defender, his on-ball work is a few ticks better than it was during his formative years.
Aaron Nesmith could be a fine bench player for the Toronto Raptors.
With Trent's status up in the air after this year, and the aforementioned Hield also not a lock to return, Nesmith could be a way to guard against Dick not showing any more development. If Dick matures, Nesmith has enough experience at the 3-spot to move over to a small forward role.
Unless something dramatic happens and Mathurin (another Canadian) somehow sees his value lowered to the point where he becomes movable, Nesmith seems like a player who could both give Toronto enough long-term potential to be worth acquiring without breaking the bank or destabilizing Indiana.
1. PF Jarace Walker
This is the big fish out there. Due to Indiana's frontcourt depth, Walker has spent most of his time in the G League. However, after proving to be way too talented for that level of competition, the recent No. 8 overall pick needs to be given an opportunity to show he can be a starter in the pros.
Walker is a player who seems almost perfect for an Ujiri offense. Between his 240-pound frame, defensive chops, and versatility, Walker was a menace in college. Indiana's front office should be smart enough to see that Walker, Siakam, and Myles Turner can't all get along in the frontcourt.
The Toronto Raptors could try to trade for Jarace Walker.
What could make Walker a tough sell is the fact he is another offensively deficient player who could take a lot of time and energy before he's ready for primetime. After finally ridding themselves of Precious Achiuwa, Toronto may add a player who shares many similarities in their style of play.
Walker certainly has his warts, and his role in place of Siakam in the starting lineup might be cause for some serious growing pains early on, but No. 8 overall picks very rarely become available for trade during their rookie seasons. If they are set on a trade, Walker could be the start of a quality return.