NBA Rumors: Rivals Believe Pascal Siakam 'Is a Lock to' Sign New Pacers Contract

This summer's NBA free-agent pool will likely be a little more shallow with the expectation that Pascal Siakam is going to remain with the Indiana Pacers after being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Raptors.

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the belief among rival teams is that Siakam "is a lock" to sign a new deal with the Pacers:

"As covered here in a previous notebook, Indiana can only offer Siakam a two-year contract extension in the $80 million range during the season. But the Pacers only have one max player in the organization as we speak, scant history of splashes in free agency and thus have ample motivation to take advantage of acquiring Siakam's Bird Rights this summer by securing him as a long-term sidekick for Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner."

Indiana received Siakam and a future second-round draft pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in the deal. Toronto got Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwosa, Kira Lewis, two 2024 first-round draft picks and a conditional 2026 draft pick.

The Pacers aren't a team that has historically made big in-season trades, especially to give up multiple first-round draft picks.

In the aftermath of the trade, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Siakam is "expected to be eager to work out a new contract" with Indiana this summer.

Since the Pacers now have Siakam's Bird rights, they can offer him a full five-year max that could be worth up to $248.5 million assuming a $142.8 million salary cap for the 2024-25 season.

It's in the Pacers' best interest to be aggressive in adding talent to their roster right now. Tyrese Haliburton has evolved from an All-Star last season to a borderline MVP candidate this season. He signed a five-year max extension in July that keeps him under contract through the 2028-29 season.

Indiana's offense with Haliburton at the point is on pace to have the highest rating in NBA history this season. Its biggest flaw has been the defense that ranks 26th in rating and 29th in points allowed per game.

Siakam can fit right in with the Pacers on the offensive end of the court because he can drive to the basket, cut and has at times been an effective three-point shooter. He provides a huge boost to their defense because of his ability to guard multiple positions, easing a lot of the burden that has been on Myles Turner to cover for the limitations of others.

The Pacers is part of a crowded group in the Eastern Conference fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. Their 24-17 record is tied with the Miami Heat for the sixth-best mark in the conference, but they are within one game of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 4 spot.