Reports of Pascal Siakam traded to Pacers 'heartbreaking,' Raptors fans say
CBC
Toronto Raptors fans say it's "heartbreaking" to hear that all-star forward Pascal Siakam is reportedly being traded to the Indiana Pacers.
"I am so sad," Heather Talbot said at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night. "He can always be counted on to get so many points for us."
Her husband Terry Talbot, agreed, saying the pair learned of the reported trade earlier in the day.
"It's sad. It really is sad, having him for so long. All the rumours about him being traded and he's been so steady all the way through," he said.
The comments come after Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Raptors are said to be in the final stages of a trade that would see the team offload Siakam, 29, to the Pacers.
Indiana will reportedly trade three first-round picks to Toronto — two in 2024 and one in 2026 — as well as forwards Bruce Brown Jr., 27, and Jordan Nwora, 25.
Raptors fan Donny Phimsavanh, of Stratford, Ont., said he wishes Siakam all the best with his new team but he is sad, nonetheless, to see him go.
"It's one of those things where it's a business decision," Phimsavanh said on Wednesday. "Seeing him go is heartbreaking. I love Siakam so much and I wish we kept him. It's hard."
Phimsavanh said he would have liked to see Siakam win another NBA championship with the Raptors along with forward Scottie Barnes.
The Raptors said they are not able to comment on trade rumours until anything has been made official. CBC News has not independently verified the report.
The trade would end Siakam's nearly 8-year run with the Raptors during which he was a two-time All-NBA selection, two-time all-star and part of the team that won the 2019 NBA title.
WATCH | CBC's Dale Manucdoc reports courtside on the Siakam trade rumours:
Mayor Olivia Chow took to Twitter to express her well wishes, saying Siakam will "always have a place in our city's heart," for his contributions to the team and as a member of the 2019 NBA championship team.
"Best of luck in Indianapolis, and thank you for everything," Chow said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.
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