Pacers preparing a max contract for Pascal Siakam?

Chad Buchanan on Pascal Siakam: We were hopeful that the fit was going to be strong because he’s at a position where we’ve kind of been trying to upgrade and improve over the last few years. And his ability to do a lot of different things is the type of player that Rick likes: the guy that can take a defensive rebound and go with it, can post up, can face up at the elbows or the mid-range and create a basket for you. He’s an underrated passer. And he’s just a very difficult cover for defenses. We thought if we’re at the kind of point in our season where we’re in this play-in, playoff range, like, does he get us over the hump and to be in as a playoff team? We were hopeful and we thought this is the guy that can help us establish us as a legit playoff team this year. He did exactly that. -via iPacers.com / June 6, 2024

Chad Buchanan: I think the arrival of Tyrese really sprouted and allowed Myles to blossom and I think Myles would tell you the same thing. The game is easy when you play with Tyrese and especially when you can shoot. If you’re screening for Tyrese and you can shoot, you’re going to get a lot of open shots, and I think Myles understands that. Those two have developed a real chemistry, and as a five man who can spread the floor and shoot with the way we play with Pascal, TJ, and Bennedict when he’s out there, they’re attacking the rim. It just gives a lot of space to a lot of our other guys, and to see him have success this year after what he’s been through, and as loyal as he’s been to the Pacers and the organization when he really didn’t have to be and to see him get rewarded was really great to see. I know it meant a lot to him, because he’s wanted this for a long, long time, and to see it happen for him was really rewarding. -via iPacers.com / June 6, 2024

Siakam, I’m told, has not yet decided whether he is or isn’t playing for his native Cameroon in a six-team Olympic qualifying tournament in early July. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 5, 2024