Pascal Siakam expresses his enthusiasm about joining the Indiana Pacers after being traded from the Toronto Raptors this week. Interestingly, one of the players on his “dream” teammate wish list is a key figure on the Pacers’ roster.
Siakam has long envisioned playing alongside Phoenix Suns’ standout Kevin Durant, but according to insights from The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Pacers center Myles Turner holds a significant place on Siakam’s list of preferred teammates.
The trade that brought Siakam to the Pacers involved the Raptors receiving Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks in exchange. Siakam, who is set to become a free agent this summer, is reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski to be excited about the move to the Pacers and is expected to negotiate a new contract with the team in the upcoming offseason.
Given Turner’s standing as a highly regarded center, Siakam’s eagerness to play alongside him is understandable. Turner, along with Tyrese Haliburton, has been instrumental in carrying the scoring responsibility for the Pacers this season, with the aim of securing a playoff berth for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.
Turner’s superior skills as a center compared to Raptors veteran Jakob Poeltl are anticipated to create more opportunities for Siakam to showcase his basketball prowess on the court.
Siakam’s individual performance this season has seen a slight dip in his usual numbers, with averages of 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 39 games with the Raptors. His shooting percentages stand at 52.2 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from beyond the arc.
As Siakam integrates into the Pacers’ lineup, there is optimism that his statistics may see an improvement. The challenge for opposing defenses will be devising strategies to contain Siakam, Haliburton, and Turner collectively, presenting a formidable trio for the Pacers.
While the exact debut date for Siakam with the Pacers remains uncertain, the team is set to face the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, aiming to build upon their current record of 23-17.
