Sources: Indiana Pacers three draft picks traded to Toronto Raptors are protected
The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors agreed on a trade earlier today that will send All-Star forward Pascal Siakam from the Raptors to the Pacers. The Pacers are also getting a second-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in the string of transactions.
In exchange, Indiana is sending cash considerations to the Pelicans while Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr, and three first-round picks will go to the Raptors. It's a blockbuster deal that changes the trajectory of the Pacers and Raptors franchises.
"Pascal is just a pure basketball junkie," Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said on Wednesday, per Sportsnet. "He is the first one to show up in the gym, the last one to leave. He was always coachable, always professional since day one."
It's a massive deal for Indiana, who pairs Siakam with star guard Tyrese Haliburton. They now have one of the most formidable pairings in the league and have a much higher floor as a team.
They had to pay a premium to do it. Brown has positive trade value, and three first-round draft picks is a lot. But it should be worth it for Siakam, especially if he re-signs long-term with the blue and gold.
The draft picks headed to Toronto may not even end up being particularly strong. Two of them are in the 2024 NBA Draft, which isn't considered to be a talented group, and all of the draft picks come with some conditions or protections.
Multiple league sources told AllPacers that these are the draft picks, and protections, heading from the Pacers to the Raptors.
- 2024 Indiana Pacers first-round draft pick, protected for selections 1-3 (currently slotted as pick 18).
- 2024 first-round draft pick via Oklahoma City (worst of Utah, Houston, LA Clippers, and OKC Thunder first-round selections). The Pacers acquired this pick during the 2023 NBA Draft and it currently sits at 27.
- 2026 Indiana Pacers first-round draft pick, protected for selections 1-4.
If the Pacers 2024 first rounder winds up in the protected range, Indiana will send Toronto second-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025. Should the Pacers 2026 first-round pick wind up in the protected range, then Indiana would send a top-four protected 2027 first-round pick to the Raptors. If that pick once again lands inside the protected range, Toronto will receive second-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028.
As it stands right now, two of those three selections are outside of the lottery — the 2024 picks. It's possible they could end up better if the Pacers stumble down the stretch of this season. The Pacers held on to their recent young players who they chose in the top 10 — Jarace Walker and Bennedict Mathurin are still with the blue and gold, as is young talent Andrew Nembhard.
Siakam is averaging 22.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season. He was an All-Star last year and has been an All-NBA player twice. His abilities on both ends will be beneficial for the Pacers, and acquiring him is worth the risk of trading away a trio of picks.
The trade is complete with physicals coming later this week.
- Sources: Pascal Siakam traded to Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Sources: Tyrese Haliburton will be re-evaluated after Indiana Pacers road trip with Grade 1 hamstring strain. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers 50-assist night shows how connected the current team is. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers outclassed by Utah Jazz size and physicality for second-straight loss. CLICK HERE.
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