Grading Pascal Siakam trade to Pacers. How Raptors, Pelicans also made out

The Indiana Pacers are finalizing a deal for Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam that would also include the New Orleans Pelicans, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.

In the trade, the Pacers would send Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks to the Raptors, who would get Kira Lewis from the Pelicans. New Orleans would also send a second-round pick to Indiana and will receive cash considerations.

Here's how the trade, which was officially announced late Wednesday night, shakes out.

Indiana Pacers: B+

The Pacers took a risk, considering Siakam could a free agent after the season. He is eligible to sign a two-year extension with Indiana until June 30 but could wait until after the season and sign a five-year deal worth as much as $247 million with the Pacers, according to ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks.

Regardless, the Pacers swung for a home run, and that’s worth applauding. Sometimes, a team in a small to mid-market needs to gamble to get where they want to go.

But the Pacers also gave three first-round picks and Bruce Brown. They need to make this work and make Siakam a significant contributor to their success. With his length and size, Siakam immediately helps Indiana’s defense, which is ranked No. 26 – the worst defense of any team with a winning record. The Pacers have allowed at least 130 points 11 times this season.

Offensively, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle will unleash his ingenuity with Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam on the court. The Pacers already have an explosive offense – No. 1 in the league at 121.6 points per 100 possessions – and they didn’t lose much offensively in the trade. Siakam and Haliburton should form a fantastic two-man game that will also help teammates get better shots.

Toronto Raptors: A-

For trading a guy they probably weren’t going to re-sign in free agency, the Raptors returned a pretty solid haul for Siakam. That’s not a surprise given the methods of the Raptors’ front office led by president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster.

The Raptors are agile with personnel moves and received three first-round picks, plus Bruce Brown in the deal. Brown signed a two-year, $45 million deal with Indiana after winning a title with the Denver Nuggets last season.

Toronto also receives three first-round picks – two in 2024 and one in 2026. They might end up being picks out of the lottery but the Raptors have had success developing players. Lewis was the No. 13 pick in the 2020 draft and did not have a consistent role with the Pelicans. But, he’s just 22 years old with room for growth.

New Orleans Pelicans: B

Sending Lewis to Toronto should put the Pelicans under the luxury tax threshold. This was a money-saving move that doesn’t impact the rotation. Lewis played in just 15 games this season, averaging 9.6 minutes and 2.9 points.