Report: Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors executives chatted 'extensively' at G League Showcase
According to a report from HoopsHype, the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors had 'extensive' discussions at the NBA G League Showcase.
The report came amid rumors that the Pacers had interest in Toronto Raptors forwards OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Since then, Anunoby was traded to the New York Knicks.
"High-ranking executives from the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks most notably chatted extensively with Raptors executives at the G League Showcase. Both the Pacers and Hawks have been two of the most consistent teams expressing interest in trading with the Raptors for over a year," HoopsHype's report reads.
Indiana had been linked to Anunoby for ages, and they continue to be mentioned as a potential Siakam suitor with the NBA Trade Deadline less than one month away. The two-time All-NBA forward is averaging 22.2 points per game this season. He turns 30 in April.
After the Anunoby trade, HoopsHype again reported that the blue and gold had interest in the now-Knicks forward as well as Siakam. The Raptors star forward is on an expiring contract and carries a cap hit of nearly $38 million this season, two relevant factors with his trade value.
The Pacers are ready to take the next step and have been rumored as a Siakam fit since the offseason. He would be a terrific on-court fit with Indiana, but his trade value and contract status are intertwined and make the situation more complicated.
Yesterday, Sam Amick reported in The Athletic that the Pacers are "seen by some rival executives as the leaders in this pack," when it comes to Siakam. Indiana and Toronto have been connected at numerous turns in the last year, and their potential for a deal involving Siakam will be worth monitoring up until the February 8 trade deadline.
The Pacers are 22-15 while the Raptors are 15-23.
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