(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers went all-in and pushed their chips to the center of the table midway through the season.
They gave up some valuable assets to land Pascal Siakam, and they were fully convinced he was the missing piece they needed.
A trip to the Eastern Conference Finals later, it became evident that they were right.
Siakam was a seamless fit for Rick Carlisle’s team, both on and off the court.
He led the team in scoring and rebounding since arriving in Indianapolis, helping them shoulder the load on offense after Bennedict Mathurin suffered a season-ending injury.
Now, it seems like their gamble on him is about to pay off for both parties.
According to a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Evan Sidery), there’s mutual interest in extending their partnership.
There is mutual interest between the Pacers and Pascal Siakam on signing a new long-term deal ahead of free agency, per @ShamsCharania (https://t.co/HuOTgPmfmJ).
Indiana understands it will take a max-level contract to keep Siakam. pic.twitter.com/8N5T5CZWz6
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 30, 2024
The Pacers know it’ll take a max contract to keep the Cameroonian big man there, and they’re more than willing to make him such an offer.
Siakam had made it loud and clear that he wasn’t going to sign a contract extension with any team that traded for him and that he would explore free agency, but he may have changed his mind.
He raved about the organization and the city shortly after the end of the season, and he may have found his home there.
Also, with most of the Pacers’ roster being young players on cheap contracts, they can afford to make him the kind of big-money offer he’s going to demand in the offseason.
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