Justin Casterline/Getty Images
The Indiana Pacers are reportedly expected to offer Pascal Siakam a max contract in free agency this summer.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium said re-signing Siakam is the Pacers’ “biggest priority” of the offseason.
drive it back ,RunItBackFDTV
“(Pacers) biggest priority is getting Pascal Siakam back” 🤝@ShamsCharania On the offseason plans for the Indiana Pacers pic.twitter.com/sjr3Gu0oNk
Siakam is eligible for a five-year, $245 million contract this summer. The five-year maximum allows Siakam to play until his 35th birthday.
The Pacers sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr. and three first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors for Siakam in January. Two first-round picks this year go into weak draft picks. The final first-rounder is a protected pick (No. 1-4) in 2026 and 2027. If the Pacers draft in the top four in 2026 and 2027, the final pick turns into a pair of second-round picks.
Siakam averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 41 regular-season games with the Pacers. A two-time All-Star, Siakam belongs in the category of players who are difficult to evaluate. He is very good at many things but not great at any. Paying a player of Siakam’s caliber nearly $50 million per season is not fair, but the Pacers are not a free-agent destination, and he seems to prefer playing in Indiana.
“It’s a blessing,” Siakam told reporters on Monday night. “I really appreciate everything. Coming from where I come from, it means a lot to me.”
Indiana could face competition on the open market if Siakam wants to explore his options. The Philadelphia 76ers have cap space, a title-contending roster and were reportedly interested in trading for Siakam before he was sent to Indiana. The Sixers can only offer Siakam four years and $183.2 million if they want to sign him outright.
It’s hard to imagine Siakam turning down an additional $60 million if he were offered that deal.
