We know the Pacers have had an interest in Deandre Ayton, they are rumored on Siakam
I'm betting they've at least kicked the tires. How about both? Despite the Jarace Walker drafting and trading for Obbi Toppen, the Pacers do love their size.
The Ayton trade
It goes down pretty much as its been mocked multiple times. Myles Turner and T.J. McConnell to the Suns (This also works with Chuma Okele and Cole Anthony from the Magic with McConnel headed to the Raptors
Why isn't Pascal Siakam willing to sign an extension?
He simply won't. The money isn't to his favor, if he gets another All-NBA nod this season he can sign supermax next year at 35% of the cap; if he signs this the year the maximum he can get is 30% of the current cap. No one is passing up that much money.
Money Wise this Works the Pacers
Let's say Siakam does qualify Supermax the Pacers the Pacers would be the only ones who could the offer the most; moverver SuperMax is not actually SUuerMax Saiakam is on the veteran scale say 5 years 35% of the cap after this season. Halliburton will be "Max" on the rookie extension , if he makes an All-NBA team he goes from 25% to 30%. Ayton is expensive but not maxed out and he's on an older scale. Long story short due to the age difference between Halliburton and Siakam there is only 1 season where they might overlap 35 and 35 which is really painful for clubs to deal with.
Suns add 4 1st Rounders including 3 in 3 years.
That's a really good rebuild start in terms of picks, even more so when you consider Siakam won't sign an extension first. That's the big risk for the Pacers (or any other team)
2024, 2026, 2028 Pacers unprotected 1st round picks
The Denver pick owed to the Magic in 2025
2026 2nd Rounder from the Magic this is Detroit
2027 2nd rounder from the Magic via Boston
The Pacers own second in 2025
Why would the Magic give up a first round pick and Cole Anthony
Simple reasons, first and foremost the Magic want to "level" up as they've put it, Buddy Heild is a clear upgrade over Gary Harris. He's not terribly expensive and he fits a need.
The other addition is Jalen Smith, play style he's young but nearly a perfect Banchero / Carter Jr. backup long and lanky looks like a librarian hyper athletic
Isiah Jackson is a nice reserve piece he's had fewer opportunities but looked good when played albeit quite raw
Raptor players received
Danny Theis is a cap filler at center (he's got a club option for 2024-2025) Raptors walk away
Gary Harris efficient doesn't suck at defense mostly cap filler solid vet type
Andrew Nembhard really strong rookie season PG of the future for the Raptors Pacers had the forseight to sign him to 4 seasons despite the usual 2nd round 2
Cole Anthony is just a much better option for Dennis Schroeder he's been a starter before, he's an exceptional free throw shooter, he's solid from 3 and his numbers went up every year 3 years in a row
-The Raptors , in an ideal world might want their young players at different positions however, there is actually quite a bit to like about an Anthony / Nembhard pairing -The Raptors have also already used the NTMLE so they are had capped and have just 4 million more than Siakam's salary - the Pacers and Magic salaries working together generate more than 11 million in cap savings and a pretty big trade exception -Savings, 4 Picks , Walk away action -The Raptors have just 86 million committed in 2024 with this setup if they decline Theis (almost guarantied) , they can make decisions on Cole Anthony and Gary Trent Jr and still have money left over.
Break Up the Pacers - Well sort of at least the start 5 (Age in Parenthesis)
Tyrese Haliburton PG(23) - One of the top young offensive minded playmakers
Bruce Brown SG (27) - Just won a title in Denver switchable 3 and D guy
Benedict Mauthrin SF - (21) - Mauthrin really strong looking two-way player good rookie campaign
Pascal Siakam PF (29) - Perennially one of the best NBA defenders good shot creator as well
DeAndre Ayton C (24) - The Judas Goat of the Suns or not Ayton is a walking double-double and fits the Pacers system to a T
I love this starting lineup. Candidly its got a natural cadence to it, the offensive minded Haliburton next to defensive stopper Bruce Brown, down to two-way Mauthrin Siakam next to Ayton it really balances well. Not to mention if you do have a team that wants to try to do what Dallas did to Ayton two years ago that's less advised the Pacers can just switch and put Siakam on whomever you are trying to use as a stretch 5 and let Ayton linger.
The Bench eh...not so much
This would have to be a work in progress. Not all the pieces fit anymore but acquiring a couple stars that's what's to be expected. There is not enough bench scoring or shooters here plus sort of some duplication with Jarace Walker and Obi Toppen. Jordan Nwoa and Aaron Nesmith are both wings that's good. Flynn and Goga are cap filler deep bench guys (actually Toronto got left with 16 as did the Magic so I just re-routed extra PG and extra C to the Pacers). They'd still be able to sign 3 minimum vet guys this year (or use the room exception 7 million) to make a last minute addition or two but I think overall this is a dangerous team.
2027