Report: Pacer key man slip-up after signing $189 million contract
Following their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in a decade, the positive momentum continues for the Indiana Pacers. Star forward Pascal Siakam has re-signed with the team on a lucrative deal, though his press conference had an amusing moment. On Monday, Siakam accidentally thanked his former team instead of the Pacers.
“I wanna thank the Raptors… The Pacers organization for trusting me.”
Pascal Siakam accidentally thanked his former team after signing a multi-year contract extension with Indiana 😅
(via @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/YHaJ6LFsN5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 8, 2024
“I want to thank the Raptors… uh, the Pacers organization for trusting me,” the two-time All-Star said.
Siakam, who was drafted 27th overall by Toronto in 2016, remained with the Raptors until he was traded to Indiana in January. The Raptors exchanged Siakam for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks.
Indiana has clearly benefited from the trade so far, with the Cameroon native averaging 21.3 points per game on 54.9% shooting, along with 7.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 41 regular-season games with the team last year. He continued to excel in the playoffs, which led to his new four-year, $189 million extension.
Siakam praised the franchise in his comments to Sports Illustrated’s Tony East.
“I’m just super excited about the future of the team,” the 2019 NBA champion said. “I just can’t wait for us to continue to get to work.”
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Siakam highlighted the significance of his offseason meeting with head coach Rick Carlisle and a group of team coaches and executives, emphasizing how much he valued their effort to make him feel wanted.
“It was great,” Siakam remarked. “Just them taking the time and coming, just talking with me. And I think for me, it’s just getting to know each other. They get to know who I am as a player, as a competitor. For me, the goals were there. I always want to be on a team that aspires to win… we just had everything aligned for us.”
He also expressed his admiration for Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where Indiana’s passionate fanbase consistently fills the arena with energy.
“It’s incredible,” he said of the home environment. “Because of the energy, the passion.”
While Indiana’s current core of Siakam, Haliburton, and Myles Turner appears poised to keep them competitive in the playoffs, making repeated Eastern Conference Finals appearances could be challenging. The Milwaukee Bucks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the additions made by the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, and the ever-present Boston Celtics, pose formidable competition.
Nevertheless, Siakam’s contract extension marks a positive step for the Pacers, providing a solid foundation that could potentially attract another star player in the future.