Pacers Have Reason to Be Thankful Despite Slow Start
There isn't much for the Indiana Pacers to celebrate this holiday season. They have a losing record, no one is taking them seriously, they have been ravaged by injuries, and Tyrese Haliburton is a far cry away from his All-NBA outing last season.
Still, as the NBA enjoys a day off, the Pacers do have one big reason to be thankful. After trading away Kira Lewis Jr., Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round draft picks for him, Pascal Siakam is playing at a high level this season.
May 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the third quarter during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
This season, Siakam is averaging 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 0.8 steals. He is also shooting a career-best 44.7 percent from 3-point range and 54.6 percent from the floor. He is Indiana's leading scorer and is easily the most versatile and reliable player in the lineup.
With the Toronto Raptors, Siakam grew into an All-Star and one of the league's top players. He also won a ring in the 2019 season and had very open mixed feelings about being traded to a rival. Since landing in Indianapolis, he has taken the young Pacers, especially Jarace Walker, under his wing and played second fiddle to Haliburton during their playoff run last season.
Had Haliburton and the rest of the Pacers started their season strong, the general expectation would be much, much higher entering the heart of the NBA season.
While Pacers fans might not have much to celebrate this year so far, Siakam being under contract for the next four seasons is a massive plus that can't be understated.
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