NBA Power Rankings, Week 13: Pacers go all-in with Siakam trade

Five years ago this June the Toronto Raptors won the franchises lone NBA title.

Now every single rotational player who played an integral part in the 2019 NBA Finals win over the Golden State Warriors is either retired or with a new team.

The last piece of that puzzle went out today, as forward Pascal Siakam was dealt to the Indiana Pacers for a package centered around three future first rounders and Swiss Army knife Bruce Brown. It’s an all-in move for the Pacers, as Siakam is a free agent after this season and there’s no guarantee he re-signs with Indiana.

It’s an interesting move for the Pacers, who add Siakam to a core that includes dazzling point guard Tyrese Haliburton and tough big man Myles Turner. Siakam is a skilled forward who can score in the midrange and around the basket. His 3-point shooting is spotty but he makes up for that by being a solid secondary playmaker, which will give Haliburton a chance to do a little more off the ball. Siakam in 39 games this season is averaging 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He’s shooting better than 52% from the field but only around 31% from 3, where he takes less than four shots a game.

The move to me means Indiana sees a window that’s slightly cracked. Indiana is currently sixth in the East – one game out of fourth. Haliburton could return tomorrow from a hamstring injury. The Pacers are a combined 6-3 against the top two teams in the East – Boston and Milwaukee. Indiana averages about 127 points per game against the Celtics and Bucks.

Could Indiana play its way to the East Finals? The team has a coach who’s been there before in Rick Carlisle and a star in Haliburton. We’ll find out if Siakam is an ideal right-hand man.

NBA Power Rankings

1. Boston Celtics (1)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (3)
3. Denver Nuggets (4)
4. LA Clippers (7)
5. Milwaukee Bucks (5)
6. Philadelphia 76ers (6)
7. Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
8. Miami Heat (10)
9. Dallas Mavericks (14)
10. New York Knicks (12)
11. New Orleans Pelicans
12. Sacramento Kings (8)
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (16)
14. Phoenix Suns (15)
15. Indiana Pacers (13)
16. Utah Jazz (19)
17. LA Lakers (17)
18. Orlando Magic (11)
19. Houston Rockets (18)
20. Golden State Warriors (21)
21. Chicago Bulls (20)
22. Atlanta Hawks (25)
23. Memphis Grizzlies (24)
24. Brooklyn Nets (22)
25. Toronto Raptors (23)
26. Portland Trail Blazers (26)
27. San Antonio Spurs (28)
28. Washington Wizards (27)
29. Charlotte Hornets (29)
30. Detroit Pistons (30)

*Previous rankings