'A thing of beauty': Fans, media react to proposed Pascal Siakam deal

The Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers are finalizing a trade that sends forward Pascal Siakam to Indiana in return for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks. The New Orleans Pelicans are also involved in the trade with Kira Lewis going to Toronto and a second-round pick going to Indiana in return for cash considerations.

This marks just the second time an All-Star player has been traded in the 2023-24 season. The Philadelphia 76ers sent 2017-18 NBA MVP James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers on Halloween in a three-team deal involving another six players and multiple first- and second-round picks.

Indiana adds Siakam to a team that's currently sixth in the Eastern Conference but just three games behind third-place Philadelphia. Siakam joins fellow All-Star Tyrese Haliburton to give the Pacers a star duo, and fans and media alike were quick to react to the news on social media.

Dynamic Duo in Indy: Pacers finalizing deal for Toronto Raptors All-Star forward Pascal Siakam

Social media reacts to Pascal Siakam trade:

Siakam was the 27th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The Douala, Cameroon native worked his way into a starting role by the 2018-19 season and led the league in minutes twice in the last three seasons.

Siakam was the last remaining starter from the Raptors' 2019 title-winning team. Forward Chris Boucher, a bench player that season, is the last player from that championship team still on the Raptors' active roster.

The Raptors and the Pacers are in different divisions but will face off in Toronto on Feb. 14.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pascal Siakam trade sparks reaction from fans, media across Twitter