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s/pacers  
Posted by 
u/Cliff4rd
 
  1mth

Pascal Siakam's blockbuster trade to Indiana one year later


Ironically, this trade happened the same day as my birthday. But that's not the point lmao. Exactly a year ago, on Janaury 17th, 2024, the Pacers made a stunning move to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Raptors. They sent out Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr. and 3 first round picks for the All-Star power forward. Siakam was a 2 time All-Star and a champion with the Raptors in his near 8 year tenure with the organization, but with the Raptors not willing to resign him to a supermax extension when he enters free agency, the Pacers took a chance at him. They were already cooking something up with their insane offense, which ranked number 1 in the league before Siakam arrived, which was all thanks to Rick Carlisle and the play of Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam's addition to the team immediately proved to be an excellent move. In 41 games in 2024, he averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 54% shooting from the field and 38% from 3-point range. And while their offense did go to the 2nd best behind Boston, Pacers finished as the 6th seed with 47 wins and had a memorable playoff run in 2024. And yes, while many people would say that the Pacers were lucky as hell because of injuries to the Knicks and Bucks' key players in the 1st and 2nd rounds, they still beat them. It's not like they crashed out and died, they beat them fair and square. They did eventually get swept by Boston, because come on, who was stopping Boston that year, but it was a surprise to literally everyone. A conference finals appearance for the first time in 10 years was something Pacers fans never expected. And it's all because of this trade. And what's even more surprising, they didn't have to give up any of their key rotation players for this move. Not Sheppard, not Nesmith, not Nembhard, or not even McConnell. Just some role players, Brown's contract, and 3 1st rounders. Now he's gotten a big extension and is performing at an All-Star level this year. An all-time win for the Pacers

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