Pacers Stunningly Predicted To Cut Ties With $190 Million All-Star in Blockbuster Trade With Surging West Team

The Indiana Pacers narrowly missed winning the NBA championship, with Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury in Game 7 derailing their title hopes and casting uncertainty over their 2025-26 season. Haliburton is expected to miss most or all of that season, prompting the team to treat it as a retooling year while also addressing the departure of star center Myles Turner.

Upon Haliburton's projected return for the 2026-27 season, the Pacers plan to contend with him and Pascal Siakam leading the core. However, PFSN's Brandon Austin suggests Indiana might trade Siakam—who is 31 years old and has three years remaining on his $190 million contract—due to concerns about the duo's championship viability. A proposed trade would send Siakam to the San Antonio Spurs to pair with Victor Wembanyama, potentially netting the Pacers younger talent or draft assets to prioritize long-term flexibility.

While the Pacers could emulate the Golden State Warriors' strategy of tanking for a high draft pick during their retooling phase, Austin cautions they must avoid draft missteps like the Warriors' selection of James Wiseman in 2020. Conversely, the trade rationale for the Spurs is questioned, as they already boast a strong core including De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper alongside Wembanyama, making a blockbuster move for Siakam appear unnecessary unless their current guard trio underperforms.