The Indiana Pacers’ decision to trade for Pascal Siakam on Jan. 17, 2024 from the Toronto Raptors signified a major shift in the franchise’s direction. Giving up multiple first-round picks, Indiana viewed the deal as the catalyst that elevated the team from a youthful upstart to a serious playoff threat.
Head coach Rick Carlisle praised the veteran forward who raised both the team’s potential and consistency. Siakam’s ability to shoot from deep, drive to the rim, operate in the post or mid-range gives Carlisle flexibility to feature him across various offensive schemes, maximizing the team’s strategic options.
Rick Carlisle Highlights Pascal Siakam’s Role in Elevating the Team’s Ceiling
With the NBA Finals deadlocked at 2-2, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle spoke to reporters Sunday, offering his thoughts on Pascal Siakam’s influence, leadership, and the team’s late-game collapse in Game 4. Carlisle emphasized Siakam’s evolution as a player and his fit within Indiana’s system.
“He is extremely versatile,” Carlisle said. “As you watch a guy’s career, as he ascends, coaches take note of the steps that players have had to take to get to where they are.”
He praised former Raptors coach Dwane Casey for helping develop Siakam early in his career through time with the Raptors 905 in the G League. “He really had to earn his way,” Carlisle added, noting Siakam’s steady growth and humility.
Pascal Siakam becomes the 9th player in NBA Finals history to have a game with:
20+ PTS
5+ REB
5+ AST
5+ STL pic.twitter.com/uIIuaY8hc8— Real Sports (@realapp_) June 14, 2025
Indiana acquired Siakam roughly a year and a half ago, believing his experience and skillset would complement the franchise’s young foundation.
“There was no doubt to me that he would fit into our team and adjust to our system,” Carlisle said. “But frankly, there was no doubt to me that he would fit into any team, any style and play at an extremely high level.”
The Pacers’ front office targeted Siakam to pair alongside Tyrese Haliburton and bring leadership to a youthful, up-tempo group. So far, that vision has held. Siakam has made a seamless transition, contributing both on the court and in the locker room.
“His experience has been a major part of the growth of our team and our young guys over the last two years,” Carlisle said.
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However, Indiana’s Game 4 performance raised concerns. Despite Siakam scoring 20 points through three quarters, he took just one shot in the fourth.
“That can’t happen,” Carlisle said. “If we are not playing through him, he needs to touch the ball more.” He pointed to poor rebounding and unnecessary fouls as issues that disrupted offensive flow late. “Then the game becomes slower,” he added.
Siakam’s stat line in Game 4 included 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting, eight rebounds, five assists, five steals, and a block.
