The Indiana Pacers made several moves over the weekend at the start of the NBA’s free agent signing period, all of which had been previously reported. The team still has more deals to finalize.
Obi Toppin has officially inked a new contract with the team. Beginning the season as a starter, he transitioned into a key scorer coming off the bench.
Last summer, the Pacers acquired Toppin from the Knicks in a trade, which proved beneficial as he set career highs in scoring (10.3 points per game), rebounding (3.9 per game), assists (1.9 per game), and minutes (21.1 per game). Toppin also achieved career-best shooting percentages with 57.3% from the field and 40.3% from three-point range.
He was the sole Pacer to play in all 82 regular-season games and ranked second in bench scoring. The Pacers boasted the league’s highest-scoring second unit.
Although the terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Pacers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported that Toppin agreed to a four-year contract valued at $60 million, keeping him with the team through the 2027-2028 season.
The team also confirmed the signing of center James Wiseman.
Wiseman, originally the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, was later traded to the Detroit Pistons.
During his time in Detroit last season, Wiseman appeared in a career-high 63 games, averaging 7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
Wiseman’s addition strengthens the Pacers’ frontcourt following the departure of reserve center Jalen Smith, who declined his player option and subsequently joined the Chicago Bulls.
According to reports, Wiseman has signed a two-year contract with the team.
The Pacers finalized a draft-day trade with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire Johnny Furphy in exchange for Juan Nunez and cash considerations.
In the trade, the Pacers moved up from the 36th to the 35th pick to secure Furphy, a sharpshooting Australian who played a season at Kansas before turning professional.
Although many draft analysts viewed the 6’9″ Furphy as a potential first-round pick, he slipped into the second round, prompting the Pacers to execute the trade.
For his rookie season, Furphy is not anticipated to assume a prominent role due to the team’s deep roster and experience. However, the Pacers aim to develop his skills, particularly valuing his athleticism and outside shooting ability.
Furphy is slated to join the Pacers’ Summer League squad as he begins his professional career.
Indiana demonstrated its commitment to pursuing a championship by acquiring Pascal Siakam through a trade in January. Siakam, a former All-Star and All-NBA player, emerged as the team’s top scorer during both the regular season and playoffs.
Siakam played a key role in the Pacers’ journey to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated in four games by the eventual NBA champions, the Boston Celtics.
Following the playoff campaign, both Siakam and the Pacers expressed mutual interest in continuing their partnership in Indiana. Last month, reports surfaced indicating that Siakam had agreed to a four-year maximum contract valued at $189.5 million.
During a press conference on Monday, the Pacers officially announced the signing of Siakam, alongside appearances from Siakam himself, coach Rick Carlisle, and President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. Pritchard confirmed that the team had secured Siakam on a max contract.
“We conducted negotiations fairly swiftly,” Pritchard remarked. “Securing Pascal was a top priority for us, and we were eager to finalize the deal. He’s not only a tremendous player but also an exceptional person.”
Pritchard emphasized Siakam’s character and dedication to achieving success.
“This presents a significant opportunity for Pascal’s development,” he added. “When you’re traded, people often assume it’s seamless when you step onto the court. It’s not as simple as it appears.”
Pritchard highlighted that Siakam’s signing ranks among the Pacers’ most significant moves and expressed confidence in the star forward’s potential for further growth.
Carlisle mentioned that Siakam is enthusiastic about assuming a leadership role within the team and credited him for the Pacers’ success during the latter part of the season and in the playoffs.
He highlighted the significant differences in defensive styles between Siakam’s former team, the Toronto Raptors, and the Pacers, noting the Pacers’ aggressive full-court defense, which demands both physical and mental resilience.
“It’s a challenging adjustment from his previous style of play to ours,” Carlisle explained. “He met us halfway. It wasn’t easy; there was a lot of mutual listening and understanding.”
During the postseason, particularly against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, Siakam began applying full-court defensive pressure on opponents.
“When a player like Pascal, who’s a 30-year-old champion, commits to that, it sends a powerful message to the entire team about our collective goals,” Carlisle emphasized.
Reflecting on his decision to join Indiana after spending his entire career with Toronto, Siakam admitted that initially, the prospect of change was daunting.
“The transition to Indiana was made so smooth from the moment I arrived,” Siakam acknowledged. “I’m grateful for the support and love from everyone in the organization. It made everything so straightforward for me.”
Siakam expressed gratitude for how his new teammates embraced him, both as a player and as a person, often seeking his leadership and guidance.
Staying with the Pacers, Siakam noted, was an “easy decision” following exit interviews and discussions with teammates, affirming his belief that Indiana is where he belongs.
“We achieved some significant milestones this season, but I know there’s more to accomplish,” Siakam asserted. “I’m committed to pushing for everything, striving to win another championship, and continuing to build a winning culture with this group.”
