Pacers GM Chad Buchanan: Insights on Acquiring Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton’s Impact & More
The Indiana Pacers faced a tough loss against the Golden State Warriors, with Stephen Curry putting on a show and Tyrese Haliburton struggling without his former teammate, Buddy Hield. Hield was recently traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Haliburton without his backcourt partner for the first time in his NBA career. Despite the disappointment, Haliburton showed maturity and trust in the Pacers front office.
After the game, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan spoke to the media about the decision to trade Hield and the team’s plans moving forward. Buchanan explained that the trade was made with the future in mind, but they also wanted to ensure they didn’t harm the team’s chances of making a playoff run this season. The addition of Doug McDermott, who is known for his shooting ability, was seen as a replacement for Hield in terms of scoring.
However, some critics argue that the Pacers didn’t necessarily improve or worsen with the trade. While McDermott is a solid shooter, he is also on an expiring contract. Hield, on the other hand, has been one of the best shooters in the league over the past few seasons. The decision to trade Hield may have been influenced by financial considerations, such as Haliburton’s max contract extension kicking in next season and the potential re-signing of impending free agent Pascal Siakam to a max deal.
There is also speculation that Hield may have requested a trade after seeing his role diminish this season. Teammates spoke highly of Hield’s energy and shooting ability, acknowledging that he will be missed. However, Buchanan declined to comment on whether it was Hield or the team that initiated the trade.
Speaking of Siakam, Buchanan expressed optimism about his long-term future with the Pacers. The team traded for Siakam last month, giving up several future first-round picks in the process. The risk of trading for a player on an expiring contract is whether or not they will stay, but Siakam has shown a positive attitude and has spoken highly of the Pacers since arriving. The team’s ability to offer him a five-year max deal this summer may factor into his decision.
Buchanan also praised Haliburton’s impact on the team and how it has influenced their decision-making process. Haliburton has quickly become a foundational player for the Pacers and has shown tremendous growth in his young career. His unselfish and push-the-pace style of play aligns well with Siakam’s abilities, and their chemistry will be crucial for the team’s success.
Overall, the Pacers are focused on building a competitive team for the present while also considering the future. Buchanan acknowledged that there is still work to be done in terms of building the roster and developing young players. However, with players like Haliburton and Siakam leading the way, the Pacers have high hopes for contending for championships in the years to come.