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Before looking ahead to free agency, Pascal Siakam was happy to have experienced this postseason run with the Indiana Pacers after being acquired in a midseason trade from the Toronto Raptors.
Speaking to reporters after a 105-102 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Siakam said “it’s been a blessing” to be with the Pacers.
“I’m really appreciative of everything,” he added. “Coming from where I come from, it means a lot.”
The Pacers aren’t known for making bold trades, but their ascent into playoff contention at the start of this season opened things up. They sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round draft picks to Toronto for Siakam on Jan. 18.
It was assumed when Indiana made that deal, there was a strong possibility Siakam would sign a new contract with the club this summer.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the day after the trade was announced that rival teams believed Siakam was “a lock” to remain with the Pacers beyond this season.
Siakam’s agent went on the record to tell Andscape’s Marc J. Spears his client’s “future looks bright” in Indiana.
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
“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,” Pascal Siakam’s agent Todd Ramasar tells @andscape about trade to Pacers.
The primary reason Siakam didn’t sign an extension immediately after the trade is because he could only receive $80 million over two years.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Siakam is eligible to sign a five-year deal worth up to $245 million with the Pacers this summer.
Siakam was terrific for Indiana after the trade. The two-time All-Star averaged 21.3 points on 54.9 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 41 starts.
The Pacers made the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. They defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks in the first two rounds to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.
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