"I can only be thankful": Raptors Rajaković, Praises Siakam as Trade with Pacers Looms

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković says he'll stay in touch with Pascal Siakam

Shock encompassed Scotiabank Arena ahead of the Toronto Raptors tip-off against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Despite neither Toronto nor the Indiana Pacers announcing the reported trade involving fan-favorite Pascal Siakam, there was no doubt it was going through.

Raptors’ head coach Darko Rajaković, although unable to speak specifically on the transaction, had no hesitation surrounding Siakam, the departure of the final core piece from the 2019 NBA Championship team. 

Canadian Chris Boucher is the only remaining 2019 Raptor on the roster.

“I can only be thankful and grateful for all of his contributions to this team, but I also have to acknowledge his nine years in the organization,” Rajaković said. “He came here as almost a teenager, and he is leaving with a legacy behind him.”

“We’re gonna stay in touch, and I wish him all the best.”

Earlier in the day, ESPN reported that Siakam had been shipped to the Pacers in exchange for a trio of first-round draft picks and Bruce Brown Jr. and Jordan Nwora, turning the page to a new chapter of Toronto basketball.

Raptors' head coach Darko Rajaković:

“It doesn’t mean we don’t have emotions, everybody is going to process it differently, but at the same time we know we have a job ahead of us.”

Says the guys were locked in at the shoot around, despite the Siakam trade imminent. pic.twitter.com/grcrlU8Iv0

— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) January 17, 2024

While Siakam joining the Pacers and partnering with Tyrese Haliburton potentially pushes that basketball club into title contention, the return, although sizable for Toronto, leaves the Raptors shorthanded and without a top-tier established talent on the roster.

Given Siakam’s ability to put up consistent points and to play as a two-way player, the Raptors are undoubtedly a lesser basketball team heading into Wednesday night’s clash without him.

Still, his departure marks a shift in Toronto’s rebuild.

“Pascal is a pure basketball junky. He was always the first one to show up at the gym. The last one to leave, he was always coachable,” Rajaković said. “We’re grown men; we signed up for this job, and that doesn’t mean we don’t have emotions, but at the same time, we have a job ahead of us to play basketball, and we’re here to support each other.”

With Siakam no longer with the club, the tide shifts to the Raptors’ becoming Scottie Barnes’ team, with his and RJ Barrett’s talents shining among the current roster, as they establish themselves as pillars for the Raptors’ new era.

While their youth and relative inexperience in high-stakes NBA games could be problematic, the Raptors won’t likely be playing significant matchups for the remainder of the season, and both young stars are well on their way to establishing themselves as two of the most prolific players in the league.

Of course, if there’s one person who believes in that, it’s Rajaković, as he mentioned in his now-infamous rant after the Raptors’ 123-122 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Scottie Barnes is gonna be an all-star,” Rajaković said at the time, “he is gonna be the face of this league.”

Rajaković reflects on the loss of a friend, mentor Dejan Milojević

Although the trade and Siakam’s departure took the headlines for the Raptors, Rajaković was quick to send his condolences to those who knew Dejan Milojević, the Golden State Warriors assistant coach who passed away due to a heart attack on Wednesday.

Very heartfelt and emotional opening remarks from Darko Rajakovic on the sudden passing of his friend Dejan Milojevic. A friend since they were teenagers. “A role model …. Unfortunately he’s not here any longer to share anymore dreams.” So sad. pic.twitter.com/84TLitJP04

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) January 17, 2024

“Really tough day for the NBA community. I knew Dejan since I was a teenager. He was a role model as a player, as a man, as a husband, as a coach.” he said of his Serbian compatriot.

“The last time we were together, he was talking about the Serbian national team and his dream of one day bigger headquarters for the national team... unfortunately, he's not with us anymore to share dreams.”