Day: January 17, 2024

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested the NBA’s goal of dispersing talent around the league under its new collective bargaining agreement is beginning to work as evidenced by the Indiana Pacers’ trade for Pascal Siakam.

The Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers have been amongst the teams interested in trading for Siakam at various points over the past year.

“When the league put in this new salary cap and this second apron and this real limitation on the way big market teams could stockpile star players, you’re starting to see how teams like Golden State or L.A., others… it’s hard to have three stars in this league right now,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “The league’s goal was to start spurting that talent around. That’s part of the reason why Pascal Siakam lands with the Indiana Pacers.”

Siakam will be a free agent this offseason and is widely expected to re-sign with the Pacers.

Wojnarowski believes the Warriors and Sixers were never seriously contenders to trade for Siakam. The Pacers had leverage in trade talks due to their possibility of having cap space this offseason and could pursue Siakam then as well.

Dejan Milojevic has passed away at the age of 46 following a heart attack at a private team dinner in Salt Lake City on Tuesday.

Milojevic joined the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach in 2021.

Milojevic played professionally in Europe from 1994 until 2009. Milojevic then became a longtime head coach with Mega Basket.

The Indiana Pacers have agreed to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown Jr., Jordan Nwora and three first round picks. As part of the trade, the New Orleans Pelicans will send Kira Lewis to the Raptors and a second round pick to the Pacers in a luxury tax move.

The picks will be Indiana’s own selection in 2024, along with the worst of the first round picks originating from either the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers or Oklahoma City Thunder. The third pick will be Indiana’s own selection in 2026.

Siakam will be a free agent in 2024, but the Pacers appear to be trading for him with a realistic hope of re-signing him. Siakam can re-sign for up to $247 million over five years with the Pacers. Siakam is also eligible to sign a two-year, $81.5 million extension until June 30th.

“I’m excited that Pascal is getting a first class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese and Myles and being coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle. His future their looks bright there,” Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.