NBA trade grades for Pacers and Raptors in Pascal Siakam deal

The Indiana Pacers are acquiring All-Star forward Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors.

The Pacers are sending the following to Toronto: Bruce Brown and Jordan Nwora, their 2024 first-round pick, another 2024 first-round pick (lesser of picks from Jazz/Clippers/Rockets/Thunder) and Indiana's 2026 first-round pick (protected if it's among the first four).

To make the salaries work, the New Orleans Pelicans are involved, sending Kira Lewis Jr. to the Raptors and a 2023 second-round pick for cash considerations.

This deal is a short-term win for the Pacers. Siakam can become a No. 2 offensive threat behind Tyrese Haliburton, and can defend opposing forwards better than Indiana has this season. And, of course, if the Pacers reach the playoffs, and perhaps win a series.

The deal is a long-term win if the Pacers can keep Siakam, who is in a contract year. His salary cap hit this season, according to Spotrac, is $37.9 million, and that's likely to rise in free agency. Saikam, who is nearing 30, is in his eighth season and is a two-time All-Star.

NBA trade grades for Pacers-Raptors deal

Sam Quinn, CBS Sports: B for both teams

On the Pacers: Ultimately the deal accomplishes what the Pacers wanted to accomplish. They are a better team today than they were yesterday. The cap space they're sacrificing by going in for Siakam now probably couldn't have been spent in better ways when you consider how weak this summer's projected free-agent class will be, and they're only slightly encumbered from a draft pick perspective by making this deal. But there are risks built into this trade that prevent the Pacers from getting an "A" for their efforts. It's a smart risk, but a risk nonetheless.

Rohan Nadkarni, Sports Illustrated: Pacers get an A, the Raptors a B

Indy acquired an All-Star forward who is a sensible fit next to its budding star at a relatively bargain price. Everyone wants every trade to make a team a championship contender. The Pacers haven’t been out of the first round of the playoffs since 2014. Being a perennial second-round team would be an upgrade for Indy. With the middle of the East jumbled up, the Pacers have taken a step above their competition—for now.

Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report: Pacers get a B+, the Raptors an A

Given the strength at the top of the Eastern Conference, this deal certainly doesn't guarantee Indiana will win a playoff series. And a quick postseason flameout coming right before Siakam bolts in free agency would make this trade look like a disaster.

But those hypotheticals are way off in the distance.

Indiana has one of the three or four best point guards in the NBA right now. Haliburton is an offensive engine unto himself, and he's made the Pacers competitive earlier than most could've expected.

Justifying a win-now move, even if it carries some risk with it, isn't hard.

Chinmay Vaidya, Draft Kings: Pacers get a B+ (for now), the Raptors a C+

Even with three first-round picks going out, Indiana adds a star frontcourt player without giving up any key rotation guys. Bennedict Mathurin should be able to step into a bigger role with Brown out but more importantly, point guard Tyrese Haliburton gets a versatile running mate to make a playoff push. Siakam’s defensive deficiencies will be covered by Myles Turner, and Haliburton should be able to unlock the forward offensively. Perhaps Siakam’s perimeter percentage will also climb a bit. Indiana still keeps most of its draft picks intact, and the 2024 class isn’t looking too hot anyways. The real question now is whether the Pacers can re-sign Siakam in the offseason once the forward hits free agency.

Stephen Noh, Sporting News: Pacers get a B, the Raptors an A

Giving away picks hurts. But this upcoming draft is expected to be a weak one, and hopefully the Pacers will be good enough down the line that their 2026 pick will land in the back of the first round. They also had a pick surplus, including a slew of extra second round picks. This does not preclude them from making even more upgrades down the line.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBA trade grades for Pacers and Raptors in Pascal Siakam deal