The Pacers are viewed by some rival executives as the leader in the Pascal Siakam sweepstakes, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Indiana has long been in the market for a power forward who can match up with bigger wings and forwards, and reportedly made an effort to land OG Anunoby before the Raptors sent him to New York. The Pacers also control all their own future first-round picks and have some intriguing youngsters whom they could be willing to discuss in a deal for an impact player.
However, during a Q&A session on Threads today, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said that he believes the Pacers are “very, very determined” not to include their 2023 lottery pick Jarace Walker in a trade. Walker hasn’t played much so far this season, logging just 100 total minutes across 12 NBA appearances, but Indiana is “very high” on the rookie forward, per Wojnarowski.
Here are a few more trade-related rumors and notes from around the NBA:
- Siakam doesn’t view Sacramento as a good long-term fit for him, according to Amick, who hears from a pair of league sources that the Kings should have “very little, if any, optimism” about re-signing the Raptors forward if he’s traded there. No matter where he eventually ends up, Siakam will be seeking a long-term, maximum-salary contract, Amick adds.
- Elsewhere in his Q&A on Threads, Wojnarowski says that he believes the Hawks are open to “almost anything” at the trade deadline and suggests that the Trae Young/Dejounte Murray backcourt pairing appears to have run its course. Atlanta continues to discuss Murray trade possibilities with teams around the NBA, according to Wojnarowski.
- The Pistons haven’t made any roster moves since team owner Tom Gores promised that changes were coming, but it’s not for lack of trying, Wojnarowski writes on Threads. Woj suggests that potential trade partners may not be ready to deal yet and says he expects Detroit to make trades by next month’s deadline that change the make-up of the roster. Exploring that subject, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic took a look at some possible trade targets for the Pistons, discussing Nets forward Royce O’Neale and Warriors wing Andrew Wiggins, among others.
“rct December 30, 2023
OG is overrated. Third best player on a 12-19 team. Raptors did great to get RJ and a pick, but to also get IQ is fantastic for them.“
I have been waiting since this day. To get an explanation of how we are a worse team after this trade. I have even been called clueless for this stance………
Apparently it’s easier to insult than to explain your analysis ??????
Difference is I Got Game lols …….
This after another win. 5-0 with OG …..
“All of that came as Anunoby became the first player in NBA history to have a plus/minus higher than plus-100 in his first five games with a new team.”
OMG …….. oh oh oh OMG
link to youtu.be
Whoever called you clueless is an idiot. OG is exactly what the Knicks needed a lockdown defender at the 2, 3 or 4 position. Also shoots around 50% on corner 3’s and isn’t a ball hog. RJ and IQ fit needs for Toronto so maybe everyone makes out. Now Knicks can use one more clutch scorer and backup big to get them to the top. I like DeRozan and Drummond which you could probably get for Grimes, Sims and Fournier. Maybe you have to add a pick. LGK
Whoever called you clueless is an idiot. OG is exactly what the Knicks needed a lockdown defender at the 2, 3 or 4 position. Also shoots around 50% on corner 3’s and isn’t a ball hog. RJ and IQ fit needs for Toronto so maybe everyone makes out.
I’m confused. Are you mad at someone’s opinion on OG, the Knicks or the trade?
It is a close trade, but the Raptors won the deal, in a vacuum and based on value alone. Doesn’t mean both teams cannot benefit, and chemistry is also a factor. Raptors needed creative guards and Knicks wanted a defense first player who can be their #3. The fit for both teams is great and only wish OG the best in his time with the Knicks. Of course it is easier to track offense, but to overlook OGs defensive impact would be idiotic. Teams are scoring nearly 25 less points per game against the Knicks since his arrival. Just wow.
I’m just responding to posters who rather insult. Than to argue intelligently. I called the trade about fit. That can work for both teams. And said that pick could swing it towards Raptors way.
I still stand by this . You have to give up something to get something.
Fit takes time. So know we should all be patient. Especially with the insults.
Why don’t you respond to those specific comments instead of bringing it up constantly?
It ain’t over till I say it’s over …..
I guess you need to learn what team fit is. And what waiting for an explanation if we are worse is.
So unless you need me too. I’d suggest you MYFB
The Pacers are also about $10mil under the cap, so they can trade for Siakam without having to necessarily match his contract. Hield basically has to be included in a trade for him, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the Raptors; he’s one of the best 3pt shooters in the league and is capable of starting or coming off the bench. Hield, Isaiah Jackson, and Obi Toppin is enough to acquire Siakam salary-wise, and it would generate around a 9.1 million dollar trade exception for the Raptors as well. Add in a couple firsts, and it seems like a decent return.
I’d do this deal, if I were running the Raptors, for Hield , Jackson, Walker and a 1st, or for Hield, Jackson and Mathurin (no picks).
They should just resign Siakam. Find a rim protector to backup Poeltl. RJ, Barnes, Quickley have not even peaked yet. Let Gradey grow too.
Resign him next year after hauling in assets from a trade this season ;)
Now that would be great ……
Would certainly put paid to everyone who insulted Masai’s abilities as a GM.
I don’t disagree. I’ve thought for awhile that Isaiah Stewart would be an interesting back up to Poetl – total change of pace/style.
Either re up Siakam or get a good package in return from either pacers or pistons for him.
If your trading for Siakim your obviously going to want him to resign. In which case if he’s going to be your starting PF for the next 3/4 years what’s the point in keeping Walker when he’s going to be stuck behind him the whole time and ruin his development.
Maybe they want reports to come out that really value him because he hasn’t played much and they want him to hold his value in a trade as a top 10 pick. Cause if you really valued him that much you’d find him more playing time and you wouldn’t trade for Pascal.
As for Toronto, you’d need Walker in the deal, cause he’d be a great fit with Scottie and them. A little undersized but plays really strong and hard. They should also try get Andrew Nembhart, he’s kinda stuck behind Tyrese and shares time with McConnell. He’d really push IQ for that starting role long term and is also from Canada.
But I doubt Indy wants to lose two good young players, although both are stuck behind long term pieces ….
Heild, Walker and Nembhart for Pascal and a second maybe
Would be a great deal for Toronto if they could get it done.
Nembhart IQ Gradey RJ Scottie Walker that’s a solid young core that
OG has been a godsend trade,offensively the court is spread out Brunson,Randle have room to maneuver. Grimes,McBride have gotten better, overall team chemistry has upgraded. Defense OG can guard the best player on any team which takes preasure off Randle and Hardenstein. OG offensive numbers will only get better once he gets comfortable.
Knowing Ujiri he’s gonna want Walker, Mathurin or Nemherd , Hield and a pick. So yea if pacers include Jarace then it’s a done deal.
I also like what pistons can offer… Bogdanovic, Wiseman, Ivey and picks.
It remains to be seen come February what will occur.
I’ve been thinking IND or DET for Siakam, only because they’re the only 2 teams that I can see agreeing to max him going in, and possibly procure his agreement to re-up on that basis prior to the trade. Hard to say what assets they might return to TOR. DET likely won’t include FRPs, but TOR might prefer bodies anyway. PHI has to be looking in at least. With TOR also holding out a retention option.
Philly has nothing to offer.
Originally after the Harden deal when we were rumoured to want to add a third star straight away I was keen on Pascal. Though he would be a good fit at the 4 with Embiid. He also is a decent passer so between him Maxey and Embiid I think the ball would move around alright. However after a good start I actually liked keeping the depth and Tobias was playing awesome. But as of more recent I wouldn’t mind us again looking into who could be that 3rd star. Especially with Embiid going down occasionally, it’s a huge fall off down to Maxey and having to rely on Tobis, Pat Beverly, Kelly Oubre etc.
I’d prefer it if we added a 3, gave away Tobias and could rotate Morris, Batum, House or RoCo as the PF with Oubre the more impact off the bench sixth man.
OG I don’t think would’ve been a good fit, excellent defender but not enough consistent offence. Low key I like Miles Bridges. Excellent finisher at the rim, makes good shots from 3, defends well, just questionable off the court and needs resigning….
Kyle Kuzma, wouldn’t mind him either, consistent enough offence, not bad defender, and has proven himself abit in the playoffs.
Even Andrew Wiggins, wouldn’t hate him coming, played with Joel back in college, good enough 3 and D player and playoff proven.
Wiggins would actually be solid the more I think about it. GSW can have RoCo, Reed and a first for him.
Melton Maxey Wiggins Harris Embiid
Beverly Oubre Batum Morris Bamba
Even play small ball with Morris at the 5 and bring on House.
Not much, true. But a few remote FRPs plus expiring deals, and maybe a useful young guy or two (Reed and Martin), might be better than taking on salary.
Pritchard/Buchanan are brilliant traders. That’s not just the win/win with the Kings but a series of trades prior (Oladipo, etc.). Where the Pacers are striving to get better is on defense; larger perimeter wing and some bulk in the paint. The offense is fine as they lead the league in scoring, have hit 150 a few times and just last week set the team record for assists in a game.
Hield is a given, Jackson is available and it’s likely they’ll look to move Brown and keep Nembhard. Wildcard is Turner as he could be available/moved.
I know this. You can’t trade for him. Unless you know he is resigning. So saying that. Hawks, Pacers, Kings, OKC all are better and trending up with Siakam. And teams where he’d want to stay. You would think.
Wiggins + Paul = Siakam + Poetl
Offering your unwanted players for another team’s good players in the hope that the other team is stupid ain’t gonna work. I mean, why not throw in Looney and ask for Barnes too?
Of course Royce O’Neale would be a trade target for the Pistons. Like they don’t have enough guys who can score.. I’d be happy if Troy Weaver sheds salary and actually use the cap space in the offseason instead of trading for other teams bad contracts in order to get an extra first round pick or future seconds.