3. Pascal Siakam
Trading for Siakam in January sparked the Pacers' run to the conference finals. It is not often a two-time All-Star becomes available, and Indiana snatched him. They gave up Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round draft picks, but it was worth it.
Siakam averaged over 21 points per game for the fifth straight season. The 6’8 forward is an elite scorer that rebounds and makes plays. He won a championship with the Raptors in 2019 and has a unique skill set for a big man.
The 30-year-old is an unrestricted free agent this summer, but do not expect him to leave the Pacers. Would Indiana give up three firsts for one run with Siakam? That does not seem likely, especially with a 24-year-old star guard on their roster in Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers will be waiting with a massive contract, and their run to the conference finals almost ensures Siakam stays long-term.
Before the 2023-24 season, Nurse and Siakam spent seven years together in Toronto. The head coach is a fan of the star’s game. If Philadelphia fans hoped that would be the springboard into signing the star forward, think again. Siakam is with the Pacers, and the Sixers will be searching for a different marquee acquisition.