Siakam Isn't Recognised Enough In Indiana

Former 2019 NBA champion and Raptors legend Pascal Siakam joined the Pacers about a year and a half ago in a blockbuster trade which sent three first round picks to Toronto, but while living beneath the shadow of Tyrese Haliburton for the last 18 months, Siakam is arguably Indiana’s most important players, and has show this postseason why h4 isn't recognised enough.

The 31 year old Cameroonian spent the first seven and a half years in Toronto, picking up some All Star honours, and an NBA Championship in 2019 to go with it. But after finding his new home with the Pacers off the back of a trade during January of 2024, Siakam would take his seriously underrated talents to Indiana. Being one of the cornerstones for Indiana this season as one of the most elite players in his position, his lack of swagger and ferocity on the court is the sole reason people don't rate Siakam as highly as he should be. 

The 2024/25 postseason has been a rollercoaster for the Pacers so far, and with a 3-2 lead over the Knicks, they have the opportunity to reach the NBA finals against the OKC Thunder in a matchup for the ages. But amongst moments like Haliburton’s clutch game tying bucket against the Knicks, Pascal Siakam has been overlooked massively, and has found himself flying under the radar for too long. Siakam currently leads the Pacers in both points and rebounds averages across their postseason so far, but hasn't been recognised due to a lack of ‘clutch’ or ‘game changing’ moments. But similarly to Haliburton and others on the Pacers team, Siakam does the basics to perfection, and does everything the Pacers need him to do and more. Although with Halliburton's name being all the NBA thinks of when we talk about the NBA, Siakam’s name doesn't come up as much as it should, and had Indiana go all the way, he could be the most important piece to their success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh22FMgYJ9w

As a player who has proven himself time and time again in the NBA and on the biggest stage, Siakam has never really earned the respect he should, but with some hopes of success this year, if the Pacers can go all the way, it is without a doubt that the Siakam trade last year would be one of the best in franchise history. Three first round picks, and an offload of a supporting cast in return for a player who solidified his role in the starting five, and a player who does everything he is asked upon to perfection, the Siakam trade could be looked back on as one of the most underrated trades in NBA history, and it seems people don't realise how vital he is too their success.