The Indiana Pacers have secured All-Star forward Pascal Siakam for the future with a four-year, $189.5 million maximum contract. The deal was presented by Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan to Siakam and his agents Todd Ramasar and Jaafar Choufani of Life Sports Agency. Siakam, who is 30 years old, is set to sign the contract once the league’s free agency moratorium ends on July 6.
Siakam’s arrival in Indiana in a trade with the Toronto Raptors proved to be a significant move, as he played a crucial role in the team’s journey to the Eastern Conference finals after a decade. The Pacers saw Siakam as an ideal partner for All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton, given his championship experience and All-NBA recognition. With both Haliburton and Siakam now under contract until 2028 and 2029, the Pacers have solidified their core for the upcoming seasons.
During his time in Indiana, Siakam showcased his scoring ability by averaging 21.3 points on 55% shooting in the regular season and maintaining a 39% 3-point shooting percentage. He also made history by becoming only the third player to average 35 points and 10 rebounds in each of his first two playoff games, joining the likes of Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain. Siakam’s performance in the 2024 playoffs, where he scored 367 points, was the highest for a Pacers player since Paul George in 2014.
Siakam’s journey to this lucrative contract began when he was selected as the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. His hard work and dedication paid off when he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2019, a season that culminated in a championship for the Toronto Raptors.
With Siakam committing to the Pacers for the foreseeable future, the team’s prospects are looking bright. Fans can expect to see a strong partnership between Siakam and Haliburton as they strive for success in the upcoming seasons. The Pacers have made a bold statement by securing Siakam’s services, and the team is now poised for a competitive run in the Eastern Conference.