The Toronto Raptors appeared ready to trade Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday Night despite the final parameters of the package not being known just yet. The deal finally went down next afternoon, and it was quite a mind-blowing haul for a team that wants to rebuild.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Raptors are trading Siakam to the Pacers for a package centered around veteran guard Bruce Brown and wing Jordan Nwora. The New Orleans Pelicans got involved as a third team in the deal, trading point guard Kira Lewis to Toronto.
The Pacers are trading two first round picks in 2024 (their own choice at No. 18 overall and a pick that originally belonged to Oklahoma City at No. 27) as well as a first-round pick in 2026. The Siakam era comes to a close in a deal that fully sends Toronto into rebuilding mode.
Indiana is sending two 2024 first-rounders and a 2026 first to the Raptors, sources said. New Orleans sends a second-round pick to Indiana. https://t.co/xxaMY5dETc
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 17, 2024
Toronto Raptors trade Pascal Siakam to Pacers for Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis, Jordan Nwora.
Siakam is averaging 22.2 points per game this season on solid efficiency, furthering his status as one of the best power forwards in the game and a player that could end up in the All-Star Game this season. The Pacers should thrive with him next to Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana.
Brown is averaging a career-best 12.1 points per game to go along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. A versatile defender and improved scorer, Brown could be a quality rotation piece or a veteran asset that could be flipped elsewhere for more picks and standout young players.
Nwora could have an expanded role in Toronto, as he has proven to be a reputable bench scorer for the Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks in the past. Lewis, picked No. 13 overall in 2020, has struggled with injuries during his time in New Orleans, but is still a quality athlete when healthy.
Losing Siakam is a bitter pill to swallow for this organization, as he was one of the greatest players in franchise history and a member of the team's lone championship team. The new era is here, and trading Siakam to the Pacers could be a good way to jump-start this rebuild.