PASCAL SIAKAM: “I love what they’re doing,” Charles Barkley says of Indiana Pacers, praising them for a “great trade.”
After the Indiana Pacers agreed to acquire All-Star Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors, TNT Sports pundit Charles Barkley is optimistic about the team’s future. After the trade, the NBA legend thinks the Pacers can be among the top three teams in the Eastern Conference and that the Boston Celtics should be their main opponent rather than the Milwaukee Bucks. Pascal Siakam was acquired by the Indiana Pacers from the Toronto Raptors, and TNT Sports analyst Charles Barkley calls it a “great trade”. The Power Forward signed a three-team blockbuster contract to join the Pacers.
Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, two 2024 first-round selections, and a conditional 2026 first-round selection are all going to the Raptors. They also waived Christian Koloko, and they will sign Kira Lewis of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Indiana can match Siakam’s salary without adding a player by signing Lewis to the agreement, and the Pacers will also receive a second-round pick from the Pelicans.
In five of his eight NBA seasons since entering the league in 2016, Siakam has averaged more than 20 points per game and has twice been chosen an All-Star.
Barkley is optimistic that the Pacers will get better if he joins the team. The 29-year-old was crucial in the Raptors’ sole NBA championship victory in 2019.
He said on TNT Sports, “This isn’t a bad trade for the Pacers; it’s a great trade.” “I adore the work being done in Indiana. ‘You know what, let’s go for it,’ they say.You’re not scared of the [Milwaukee] Bucks because we own them; you’re just scared of the Boston Celtics. Every game we’ve played against them this year, we’ve won.I believe the Sixers [Philadelphia 76ers] require an additional player. It is quite rare to have an All-Star on your squad. Because he is playing alongside superior players, his numbers will only rise.They might finish two or three [in the Eastern Conference rankings], in my opinion. Although I think this move is great, I know they will miss Bruce Brown.
“I’m a big Bruce Brown fan and I think he’s going to get traded again to a contender because he’s such a terrific player.”Considering the standards, I would argue that although the Celtics are the team to beat, we don’t fear anyone else. Milwaukee is already under our control if I’m the Pacers.”The Bucks can’t guard anyone, so it’s a poor matchup. The Pacers have improved offensively and don’t guard anybody, so they’re just going to outscore opponents.”
Siakam did not play for his new squad on Thursday night as the Pacers defeated the Sacramento Kings 126-121. The Pacers have had a good season thus far; they are the highest-scoring team and advanced to the NBA In-Season tournament championship.