‘Time of change for our team:’ Raptors trade Pascal Siakam to Pacers for three 1st round picks, players

The Toronto Raptors have traded forward Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers guard Bruce Brown, forward Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks. Toronto also received guard Kira Lewis from New Orleans, with a second-round pick going from the Pacers to the Pelicans as part of the three-team deal. 

The deal was confirmed by Toronto less than an hour after the Raptors stunned the visit Miami Heat 121-97 at Scotiabank Arena.

The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who said Siakam is excited about the deal and is open to re-signing with the Pacers, according to Wojnarowski.

“I’m excited that Pascal is getting a first-class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese [Haliburton] and Myles [Turner] and being coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle. His future looks bright there,” said Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar.

Siakam is in the final year of a four-year, US$136.9 million deal he signed back in 2019. He will make $37.8 million this season.

“Pascal is a champion, an integral part of winning teams and an example of what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance, hard work and tenacity,” said Raptors vice-chairman and president Masai Ujiri.

“We’re lucky to have seen Pascal develop into the man and player that he is today — and we are grateful for everything he has done for our city and for our franchise. We wish him all good things.”

First-year head coach Darko Rajakovic said he admired Siakam’s professionalism and love of the game.

“Pascal is just a pure basketball junky,” said Rajakovic. “He is the first one to show up in the gym, the last one to leave. He was always coachable, always professional since Day 1.

“I can only be thankful and grateful for all of his contributions to our team this season.”

Siakam departs Raptors as one of organization’s best developmental stories

The 29-year-old has spent his entire eight-year career with the Raptors after being selected 27th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. He developed into one of Toronto’s best developmental stories, evolving into a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA player.

Siakam was recognized as the league’s Most Improved Player in 2018-19 and won an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019. Canadian forward Chris Boucher is the only remaining player from the 2019 championship team.

Siakam has averaged 22.2 points-per-game this season to go along with 6.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game across 39 starts. He’s currently shooting 31 per cent from beyond the arc and 52 per cent from the field.

This is the second blockbuster trade the Raptors have completed this season after the front office dealt OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks for Immanuel Quickley, Canadian R.J. Barrett and a 2024 second-round draft pick belonging to the Detroit Pistons.

Brown, 27, was in his first year with the Pacers after signing a multi-year contract this offseason. The versatile guard has averaged 12.1 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game across 33 starts. Brown, who carries a $23-million team option at the end of the season, won an NBA title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Nwora, 25, was a second-round pick of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020, winning an NBA championship with the team in 2021. He was acquired by the Pacers in early 2023 and has appeared in 18 games, averaging 5.2 points per game. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Lewis, 22, was selected 13th overall by the Pelicans in 2020. His playing time has been sporadic, and he’s appeared in only 15 games with New Orleans this season.