NBA Rumors: Myles Turner Ranked 2nd to Durant on Pascal Siakam’s Dream Teammate List

Erin WalshJanuary 18, 2024

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Pascal Siakam is excited to join the Indiana Pacers following his trade from the Toronto Raptors this week, and it appears one of the franchise’s players ranked toward the top of his “dream” teammate wish list.

While Siakam has dreamed of playing with Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, Pacers center Myles Turner “was next up on his list of players with whom he would love to play,” according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

The Raptors traded Siakam to the Pacers on Wednesday in exchange for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round picks. He’s set to become a free agent this summer.

However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that Siakam is “excited about the deal to the Pacers and expected to be eager to work out a new contract with the franchise this summer.”

That said, it’s not surprising to hear that Siakam had Turner atop his teammate wishlist.

The 29-year-old is now joining a talented roster headlined by Turner and Tyrese Haliburton, who have shouldered the scoring load this season in an effort to lead the Pacers into the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.

Turner is considered a much better center than Raptors veteran Jakob Poeltl, and that should open up the floor for Siakam to play some of his best basketball.

Siakam’s numbers are down by his standards this season. He enters Indiana having averaged 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 39 games with the Raptors while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from deep.

However, it’s possible Siakam’s numbers will improve with the Pacers as opposing defenses will have to figure out how to cover him, Haliburton and Turner, which won’t be easy.

It’s unclear when Siakam will make his Indiana debut, though the Pacers will take on the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night looking to improve upon their 23-17 record.