6 Conference Finals players Lakers should pursue from least to most likely

3. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers took a massive gamble on Jan. 17 by sending Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round draft picks to the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam. The end result has been the organization making its first appearance in the Conference Finals since 2014.

All of this would suggest that Siakam will be re-signing with the Pacers, but the reality remains that there's no guaranteeing such an outcome.

Siakam is in the final season of a four-year contract worth $146 million due to the 28 percent increase that occurred when he was named All-NBA Second-Team in 2019-20. At age 30, it's likely that he'll be looking for another massive deal.

Based on his impact on the Pacers and the franchise's success this postseason, it would be difficult to imagine a scenario in which Indiana refuses to pay him what he asks for.

In saying that, Siakam has the opportunity to sign wherever he chooses as an unrestricted free agent. The Los Angeles Lakers clearly lack the cap space to make that happen, but it's entirely possible that a sign-and-trade could occur, as the Pacers are unlikely to want to lose him for nothing.

Siakam, a former NBA champion, could become a target for a Lakers team that could potentially look to recreate some of the magic that has aided the Minnesota Timberwolves this postseason with Karl-Anthony Towns playing alongside Rudy Gobert.

For as intriguing as pairing Siakam with Anthony Davis would be, however, he's ranked lower than some Lakers fans might hope due to the fact that it's unlikely to transpire.