Multiple U.S. local media reported on the 18th (Korea Standard Time) that the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors agreed to a trade. Indiana will receive Pascal Siakam and the 2024 second-round pick from Toronto instead of handing over Bruce Brown, Jordan Wara, Kira Lewis Jr., two first-round picks in 2024 and one first-round pick in 2026.
Siakam is the core of this trade. Joining Toronto with the 27th pick in the first round in the 2016 NBA Draft, he was the team's one-club man. He led the team to the finals with Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) in the 2018-2019 season, and was selected as two All-NBA second teams, one All-NBA third team, and two NBA All-Stars.
In this season, he played an average of 34.7 minutes in 39 regular-league games, scoring 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Although his record slightly declined from last season, he was still the core of his team. However, he got a fresh start in Indiana through the trade.
Indiana has succeeded in strengthening its power. Currently ranking sixth (23 wins and 17 losses) in the Western Conference, the team will be able to look higher. Siakam is expected to play the role of a one-two punch along with ace Tyreece Halliburton.
Meanwhile, Toronto has effectively declared its rebuilding by trading for Siakam after OG Anunobi. Rumors of Brown's trade from Indiana are spreading, and further trade is expected.