Pacers' Pascal Siakam Lands Brutal Take Ahead of 2026-27 Season

Indiana Pacers star forward Pascal Siakam will be a key piece on the roster as the team looks to return to contention in the 2026-27 season.

While Siakam has been an All-Star and was a major reason why the Pacers made it to the NBA Finals in the 2024-25 season, he has received a brutal take. Siakam was ranked the most overpaid player in the NBA due to his $48.9 million cap hit and 2.6 win shares.

This seems to be a flawed way to evaluate his contract, as Siakam put up quality numbers on an Indiana team that was in a gap year with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season.

Siakam averaged 24 points per game, along with 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.1 steals, shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three.

In the 2024-25 season, Siakam was more impactful toward winning, as the team was more talented and competitive with Haliburton on the floor. Siakam averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 38.9 percent from behind the arc. His 7.5 win shares proved he can be a valuable winning player when the Pacers are in the playoff hunt.

Siakam brings a ton to the table for Indiana, as he's one of their best scorers while also being a quality defender. 

With the 32-year-old All-Star forward on the roster and Haliburton returning, the Pacers are poised to be in contention in the 2026-27 season.

The roster looks a little different from the one that reached the NBA Finals a couple of years ago, as starting center Myles Turner left in free agency to join the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana found their new starting center at the deadline by acquiring Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers.

Zubac will bring a different style of play to the Pacers, as he is a stronger rebounder and screen-setter than Turner was. Zubac is also a talented defensive player, having been named to the All-Defensive Second Team in the 2024-25 season.

Another addition Indiana has made to the roster is the free-agent signing of Kelly Oubre. Oubre will be another scoring punch for the Pacers, and his athleticism will fit well with their offensive system, as they like to get out in transition.

Indiana has built a talented roster, and Siakam will prove that he does not deserve to be ranked the most overpaid player in the NBA in the 2026-27 season.