Pascal Siakam To Strengthen Indiana Pacers With Max Extension Deal
The Indiana Pacers have secured a key player for the upcoming season and beyond. ESPN reported on Wednesday that the team has agreed to a four-year, $189.5 million maximum extension with forward Pascal Siakam. Siakam, who played a significant role in Indiana's unexpected run to this year’s Eastern Conference finals, will officially sign the new deal when the NBA's moratorium on free agents ends on July 6.
The Pacers acquired Siakam on January 17 in a major trade with the Toronto Raptors. Indiana gave up three players, including valued guard Bruce Brown, and three first-round picks. The two-time All-Star proved to be an excellent fit, averaging 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 41 games following the trade. He also shot 38.6 per cent from three-point range.
In the playoffs, Siakam continued to perform well, averaging 21.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 17 games. His efforts helped the sixth-seeded Pacers eliminate higher-ranked teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks, advancing to the conference finals for the first time since 2014.
Siakam, a native of Cameroon, was also a crucial part of the Raptors' 2018-19 NBA championship team and was named the league's Most Improved Player that season. Over eight NBA seasons, he has averaged 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 551 regular-season games.
With Siakam's new deal now agreed upon, the Pacers will have their top five scorers from last season under contract. Indiana re-signed All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a five-year, $260 million max contract last summer and reached a two-year extension with standout center Myles Turner in January 2023.
Siakam has consistently performed at a high level, averaging at least 21 points and seven rebounds per game for five consecutive seasons. He has also received All-NBA honours twice during that period.
As the Pacers look ahead to next season, retaining Siakam ensures they have a strong core to build upon. His contributions will be vital as Indiana aims to continue its success in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
| Season | Points Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Assists Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season (2023-24) | 21.3 | 7.8 | 3.7 |
| Playoffs (2023-24) | 21.6 | 7.5 | 3.8 |
| Career (Regular Season) | 17.7 | 6.6 | 3.6 |
The Pacers' decision to extend Siakam’s contract reflects their commitment to maintaining a competitive roster capable of making deep playoff runs in future seasons.
ESPN Sources: All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam intends to sign a new four-year, $189.5 million maximum contract to return to the Indiana Pacers. Siakam plans to sign deal once leagues free agency moratorium ends on July 6.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 19, 2024
The upcoming season promises to be an intriguing one for Indiana fans as they watch their team build on recent successes with Siakam playing a pivotal role.
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