Grade the Trade: Pacers land 2-time All-Star in 4-player mock blockbuster

Grade the Trade: Pacers land Pascal Siakam in 4-player mock blockbuster: Pacers grade

From the perspective of the Indiana Pacers, this deal would be an absolute slam dunk (under the condition that Pascal Siakam would be willing to sign an extension with the team).

Assuming the condition is in place, then there’s no reason the Pacers shouldn’t make this trade. All of the pieces they’d be giving up are replaceable or in the final year of their contract.

Losing Buddy Hield hurts, but he’s in the last year of his deal, and trading him for a two-time All-Star is a no-brainer, regardless of how great he is behind the three-point line.

Daniel Theis is a solid role player, but the Pacers have guys like Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson to fill the gaps. And while Jordan Nwora found some success with the Pacers at the tail end of last year, they have plenty of wings on the roster.

The tandem of Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam would be deadly, and when combined with Myles Turner’s presence in the frontcourt, they would be one of the more intriguing teams in the East.

Giving up two first-round picks is a risk, but if Siakam is willing to stick around long-term, it’s worth it. That’s what this all hinges on, though, because if Siakam doesn’t guarantee that he wants to be back, this isn’t worth the risk.

Grade: A-