Forward Pascal Siakam arrived at the Indiana Pacers after a trade with the Toronto Raptors with a contract expiring at the last trade deadline
After the Indiana Pacers’ elimination to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the Indianapolis franchise’s focus should be on renewing Pascal Siakam’s contract. According to journalist Shams Charania, from “The Athletic”, the team’s management should offer a maximum value deal for the pivot, who arrived at the team at the last trade deadline and has since created expectations about his stay.
“The Indiana Pacers’ top priority is certainly signing Pascal Siakam to a new contract. He played well in the playoffs. After all, he led the team in points and rebounds. The franchise gave up a lot for him in the trade with the Toronto Raptors. So, it doesn’t make any sense that they abandon it or don’t want an extension.”said the reporter. “Indiana is not inherently or in any doubt about it. They know they’re going to have to open their pockets and pay a maximum extension to Siakam. That’s what he wanted to negotiate with Toronto before leaving Canada. So, that didn’t change with the team change. If they offer it, the sides must reach an agreement.”assured Charania.
“I’ll be texting him nonstop, calling him nonstop…I’ll do everything in my power to make sure Pascal Siakam is in a Pacer uniform next year.”
Tyrese Haliburton talks about Pascal Siakam’s impact and his desire for him to return next season. pic.twitter.com/fJlW9HBX3n
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 28, 2024
One of the main reasons behind his departure from Toronto Raptors in 2023/24 was the new contract desired by the Cameroonian. The Canadian team sent him to the Pacers and also traded OG Anunoby for the New York Knicks. During a press conference after the elimination, Siakam spoke about the matter: “I can’t talk about free agency directly, but what I will say is that I’m grateful for everything since I’ve been here. It’s been a blessing. It was a crazy year, perhaps the most difficult of my career. I left a place where I thought I would end my career. So, it wasn’t easy.”
“But the support I received here from day one was, above all, encouraging. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that, nothing better. So just gratitude for this first year and that everything has been so excellent on every level since I arrived. So, from the fans, players, coaches, managers, just a big thank you.”he completed.
“Obviously, it’s important to bring Pascal back. Just a great addition to our team, and an incredible, incredible player. He knows I’ll be texting him non-stop, calling him non-stop. We would all love to have Pascal back, and that’s definitely the plan. I can’t speak for the man, either way, but I will do everything in my power to make sure Pascal Siakam wears a Pacers uniform next year. And I’m excited to start the recruiting process, I guess, but just to have. Him as my teammate in the near future”assured the point guard and Pacers star, Tyrese Haliburton.
Source: sportbuzz
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