Trade Breakdown

TOR: Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, 2024 OKC/HOU/LAC/UTA FRP, 2024 IND FRP, 2026 IND FRP (Top-4 Protected)

NOP: No Assets

IND: Pascal Siakam, Kira Lewis Jr, 2024 NOP SRP

Pacers Rotation

PG: Tyrese Haliburton, TJ McConnell

SG: Buddy Hield, Andrew Nembhard

SF: Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin

PF: Pascal Siakam, Jalen Smith

C: Myles Turner, Isiah Jackson

Pacers: The Pacers acquired Siakam without giving up any key players other than Bruce Brown. In my opinion the Pacers are the clear winners of this trade. Siakam is an All-NBA player and should be valued like one. They got Siakam without giving up that much talent, only giving up draft picks that haven't brought the franchise much success recently. This is the perfect move to get Haliburton a star to play with and be an immediate threat in the Eastern Conference. They also managed to keep Buddy Hield, one of their biggest shooting threats. This deal was a great trade for the Pacers, and it will pay off this year and in the future. This deal has no risks for the Pacers, they didn’t give up any of their young core players. On top of that, there is not any risk in the picks that they gave up. This year, they are a playoff team most likely, so the pick won’t be high and the 2026 pick is protected. This was a masterclass by the Pacers, they were able to pull off a trade for the perfect fit on their team. Siakam is a perfect PNR threat with Tyrese Haliburton and he helps add to their rim protection. It’s going to be scary thinking that Haliburton can average more assists. The truth is that with Siakam that will probably be the case.

Raptors: This was an OK deal for the Raptors. This was the right move for them though, since it was becoming increasingly clear that Siakam would not resign with Toronto. Any result is better than letting him walk in free agency, so I would consider it a W for Toronto. Now, OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes have been traded for a big package of young players and assets to pair with Scottie Barnes for the years to come. I am convinced that Toronto is heading in the right direction and this is a move that will help them thrive in the future. Another solid, direction-choosing move from Masai. All eyes will be on what Toronto does with Bruce Brown. Toronto did get three firsts for a player on an expiring contract, but it’s important to remember that he’s still playing at All-Star level. On top of that, two of the picks are from the 2024 draft class, which is pretty weak compared to average. And, the picks will be late. In 2026, the Pacers will likely be even better when their young core develops more. It was the right move, but it was not a great move. It was a move that Masai had no choice but to make.

Pelicans: The Pelicans likely got rid of Kira Lewis Jr. to get under the luxury tax. Indiana is going to have to send out around 5 million or so, it is yet to be known whether that will go to Toronto or New Orleans. Actually, the Pacers won't have to send anyone back because Kira Lewis Jr. goes in their cap space and then goes to Toronto, allowing them to make this trade. The Pelicans trade with the Pacers will be separate from the Siakam trade allowing the Pacers to do it without breaking salary rules.