Pacers are rolling the dice with Pascal Siakam trade

Pascal Siakam has been traded to the Indiana Pacers as part of a three-team deal. The Toronto Raptors receive Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr. and three future first-round picks. 

Siakam had been the biggest storyline heading into the February 8 trade deadline. His expiring contract weighed heavy on a Toronto Raptors team keen on retooling their roster around Scottie Barnes.

Indiana now has a second star to pair with Tyrese Haliburton. Siakam is an NBA champion and proven All-NBA-level talent. His presence on the Pacers roster will be a significant upgrade at the power forward position. However, the Pacers have also inherited Siakam's expiring contract and the questions that come with it. 

On first look, three future first-round picks for an expiring deal appear to be an incredibly high price. Things become a little more palatable when you realize one of those picks is coming from the New Orleans Pelicans. Nevertheless, Indiana has rolled the dice. 

Recently, Matt Moore of The Action Network reported that Siakam was not willing to provide a verbal commitment to re-sign with a team should they acquire him via trade.

“He will not give a verbal commitment whatsoever, let alone an extension with either the Pacers, the Hawks, or the Kings, or the Warriors, or any other team that trades for him. He wants to test out free agency,” Moore said during an appearance on the "Locked On NBA" podcast.

It's hard to imagine the Pacers front office signing off on a trade for an expiring player without getting a verbal commitment that they will re-sign. 

Siakam was playing hardball with the Raptors. Now that the trade has been made, his stance on remaining with Indiana may soften. After all, he will have one of the best young guards in the NBA as his teammate and will be coached by a (likely) future Hall of Famer in Rick Carlisle. 

The Pacers aren't a contending team this season. Siakam's addition moves the needle and brings them closer to being capable of competing for a championship, but it's still a year or so away. 

This trade was made for both now and the next couple of years. Based on Moore's reporting, Indiana's decision to acquire Siakam is a big risk. Sometimes risks pay off, though. 

We will likely learn more on whether Siakam has made a verbal commitment in the coming days.