The Toronto Raptors looked ready to dip fully into rebuild mode when they acquired RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in exchange for OG Anunoby, leaving Pascal Siakam, another impending free agent, as the best possible trade chip they had left to get some quality assets before the trade deadline.
The Indiana Pacers need more scoring and a No. 2 star opposite Tyrese Haliburton, making them a perfect landing spot for one of the best power forwards in the league in his prime. A trade might be getting finalized soon, as the framework already seems to have been agreed on.
Shams Charania of The Athletic is reporting that Toronto and Indiana are currently engaged in negotiations that would see Siakam sent to the Pacers in exchange for veteran wing Bruce Brown, a collection of contracts that amount to salary filler, and three first-round picks.
One interesting part of this deal is that the Raptors didn't get either Jarace Walker or Bennedict Mathurin from the Pacers. Toronto seems to have backed down on their desire to add rotation help, leaning instead on a haul of first-round draft picks in additionto Brown and the filler.
Developing: The Raptors and Pacers are in active talks on a trade centered on two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam for package that includes three first-round picks, league sources say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 17, 2024
Full details at @TheAthletic with @sam_amick: https://t.co/o925VL5r3g
Toronto Raptors discussing Pascal Siakam to Pacers trade
A recent NBA champion in Denver, Brown is averaging a career-high 12.1 points per game this season to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. The 6-4 switchblade can guard multiple positions well, which Toronto is going to love no matter what the rotation looks like next season.
Siakam is averaging 22.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, further cementing his status within the league as an elite offensive power forward who can take over on any given night. Rick Carlisle's up-tempo attack could be an ideal fit for a player with his very diverse skillset.
The Raptors are saying goodbye to the championship era, as their last heavy hitter from that team could be on the verge of picking up some new threads. Toronto is officially Scottie Barnes' team, and this trade will give the front office a ton of picks they can use to get him some running mates.