Andrew Nembhard's agent expects Team Canada guard to receive Paris Olympics burst following extension: "He'll have a big year" (Exclusive)
Not only has Pascal Siakam experienced elation over agreeing to a four-year, $189.5 million extension with the Indiana Pacers.
The two-time NBA All-Star finally feels at peace after spending the past year experiencing uncertainty about his future with the Toronto Raptors and adjusting on-the-fly with the Pacers following the trade deadline.
“There’s just a focus,” Todd Ramasar, Siakam’s agent, told Sportskeeda. “There are no distractions.”
Ramasar has witnessed this most noticeably during Siakam’s off-season workouts at his home gym. Siakam has usually trained six days a week in court work, individual drills, and weight-lifting sessions with various coaches. After the Indiana Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals partly because of Siakam’s instant impact as a two-way player, Ramasar predicted his client would “have a very big year.”
Ramasar held similar optimism for another client in Andrew Nembhard, who agreed to a three-year, $59 million extension with Indiana after the second-year player performed well in the NBA playoffs.
Todd Ramasar on Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam signing new contracts (Exclusive)
Ramasar spoke to Sportskeeda both about Siakam and Nembhard relating to their extensions, offseasons, chemistry with Tyrese Haliburton and their future together.
Editor’s note: The following one-on-one interview has been edited and condensed
It’s not surprising that Pascal and Andrew got these extensions. But what do you think were the turning points for Pascal and Andrew that a deal would happen?
Todd Ramasar:
“With Pascal, from the onset when he was traded from Toronto to Indiana, you could see that Indiana had a very talented team from the rosters with the players and all the way to the coaching staff and front office. They made it to the Finals in the In-Season tournament. Even though they ended up losing, you saw the potential of a young roster. As we were evaluating that in light of a trade, it was about how Pascal would fit with that team. The missing piece to that team was really a versatile forward to complement Tyrese, Myles [Turner] and Andrew. So once Pascal got there, I think there was an adjustment period. Naturally so. For any player that has been with an organization for eight years, there would be a transition or an adjustment. But for Pascal, it was more so with the tempo because of the speed the Pacers play at and the way that Rick Carlisle does a really good job with managing minutes to keep them fresh for the postseason."
"Once Pascal got there, he got adjusted to the tempo, the offense and the defensive rotations. He got more acclimated not just to his teammates, but with the coaching staff and Rick. Those guys embraced him with open arms from the very beginning. That obviously led to them making a great run in the playoffs. It was only natural for Pascal. All the signs were there like we anticipated when the trade happened that it would be a good fit. It always starts with fit for me as it relates to our clients with making sure there is synergy between the organization and the players valued. That leads to the contract. Pascal is in elite company to get his second consecutive max. Pascal is the lowest player ever drafted to have received a rookie max contract extension. He is now in elite company to get two consecutive max contracts.”
How about with Andrew Nembhard?
Todd Ramasar:
"As for Andrew, when a player is born into an organization, it’s different because it’s everything that you hope for. In Andrew’s draft class two years ago, the Pacers chased him in the draft. It was always Chad [Buchanan], Kevin Pritchard and Rick Carlisle showing up at our Pro-Day, at the combine or reaching out proactively asking questions and doing their due diligence. They selected Andrew at No. 31. Then fast forward through the draft to the regular season. A few injuries happened to that roster. All of a sudden, Rick trusted Andrew and he never looked back. To get the games that he started as a rookie and making the rookie-sophomore game, he took that momentum into the offseason and continued to work on his game and on his body and made investments in himself."
"Even though the season started off slowly, it was a natural progression for him where he got better every month. The whole world got to really see Andrew on display in the playoffs with Tyrese there. Once Tyrese went down with injuries, you saw Andrew be in his natural position as the primary ball handler. You saw him step up and play huge for his team. Unfortunately, the team fell short. Andrew, like a lot of young players, learned from the experience with being in the playoffs. But the team has always valued Andrew as being one of their own and has always seen him as an integral part. That’s what led to the extension being done now."
"I think it’s good for both sides. I think in a year or two that people are going to say it’s a bargain for the Pacers and maybe even after next season. But it’s security for Andrew, which you don’t always see for a second-round pick. The fourth year of his contract falls off, which was $2 million and now he’s earning close to $20 million. That sets him up for the future. It takes pressure off him so he can focus purely on his game and help contribute to winning basketball with the Pacers.”
What do you think Andrew’s learning moments in the playoffs were with his production, how he played during Tyrese’s injury and next steps?
Todd Ramasar:
“It’s nothing new for Andrew to step up in those big moments. Anyone who has been following Andrew’s career going back to Gonzaga, Andrew hit a big shot at my alma mater at UCLA that led them to the championship game. As a rookie, he hit a game-winning shot against the Lakers. He went into Golden State and had a big game there. He’s always contributing to winning basketball. Sometimes, especially with a young player like Andrew, you don’t necessarily see those flashes or greatness because he’s usually defending the best player on the opposing team or he’s doing the little things that lead to big things to help the team come out with a win. That’s why the playoffs are a platform for players because of the exposure. For Andrew, having that moment with everything on the line, playing a great team like Boston and Tyrese goes down, it was another moment for him. He went from Montverde Academy to Gonzaga and now with the Pacers where he rises to the occasion. I couldn’t be happier for someone that I know puts in the work for those big moments."
"As for lessons learned, I think that’s for any great young player that’s on an ascension in the league. I’m not trying to compare Andrew to these great players. But it’s more about the lessons learned. It’s like Jayson Tatum going to the Finals and losing or LeBron James learning with Cleveland and then Miami during his first year. Once you figure out the formula, you know the adjustment that needs to be made. It’s not all on Andrew. But you learn to be more patient and you learn to be an extension of the coach in those big moments on the floor. As Andrew gets older and the relationship he has with Rick, he’s going to have more of an autonomy because of his experience to be able to make decisions in those defining moments that will ultimately help them get over the top. Experience is the best teacher. You have to go through those moments first and be in the trenches to come out on the other side to say, ‘I learned from that mistake, let me grow from it and it won’t happen again.’ I’m confident that Andrew will do that.”
With Pascal, he’s played like this his whole career in Toronto. But Rick was impressed with how Pascal is always able to fit into the flow of the game. What enabled him to do that from the jump with making an immediate impact and establishing chemistry with Tyrese?
Todd Ramasar:
“Pascal has always been an unselfish player. He’s always going to make the right basketball play. People see the points, but what they don’t see is the efficiency. For Pascal, going to Indy where sharing the ball is promoted and there was a glaring hole at the forward position, Pascal fit seamlessly into their offense. The way Pascal approaches the game was aligned with what Indiana was doing. His team success is aligned with Pascal’s success."
"That’s how he’s found success in this league. It’s rare to find somebody his size with that efficiency and unselfishness. Watching him train this offseason now that a lot of things are behind, he had this experience and he just turned 30, he’s very settled now off-the-court with family and finances. You should see the work that this guy is putting in. I expect him to have a very big year.”
What have you seen with his work this offseason?
Todd Ramasar:
“There’s just a focus. There are no distractions. Oftentimes, people see the player get the contract and say, ‘What is this guy stressed about? He has a max deal. He’s an All-Star.’ But last year with being a contract year and there is so much uncertainty around the Raptors, he’s hearing it very loudly. For any person being in a workplace where they don’t feel valued or wanted, that’s stressful."
"Whether they want to admit it or not, there’s just energy directed toward them that otherwise can pull away from what their craft is and where their full energy should be focused on. Now that is all gone, he has a full NBA court at his home that he’s building and is now completed. When you watch him work out, it's like his meditation. It’s really beautiful to watch. I’m not trying to exaggerate. I’ve seen so many players work. It’s very efficient and very focused. It’s a setting and environment that he owns and created. There’s a pureness to what I’m seeing on the floor.”
I know you’re not his trainer. But can you share what you’re seeing behind the scenes with that?
Todd Ramasar:
“He has a series of coaches on the floor all with NBA experience. There’s a development plan that has been put in place. There are areas of focus based on prior seasons. That plan is quarterbacked from our main coach. Then it is executed from some other coaches on the floor every day. Monday through Friday, sometimes on Saturday. When players get to the level that Pascal is at, you have to make sure they don’t get burnt out too early in the offseason. But he does his court work and his individual skill work for about an hour at very high reps and at game speed. He has defense out there against him. He has his weight sessions and then he has his recovery with his physiotherapist."
"His stretching, lifting and cardio, it’s now at this point in his career where it’s about the precision of his game as opposed to the foundational development that got him here. In a lot of ways, the last 10% to take a player to the next level, that’s the hardest part. Like any craft, that’s what separates the good from the great. It’s about fine tuning and attention to detail. Pascal is not content. Some people may say, ‘Oh he’s got a contract; I’m sure he’s having problems getting out of silk sheets.’ No. He has a routine. He has a plan. He executes it. There’s also accountability both ways.”
Andrew’s offseason is different with playing for the Canadian national team. What do you think that experience will do for him?
Todd Ramasar:
“That collective of talent is at a very high level that will compete for medals in this Olympics, or maybe even the ultimate medal. For Andrew to be an integral part of that team and to be playing along other great guards in Jamal Murray, Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] and Lu Dort, going into every practice and games, that’s going to make him better. Great players always say they take aspects from other great players’ games. For him to see it up close intimately with their habits and communication, he can learn through osmosis. That will be huge for him."
"The way I envision it is looking at Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, and their participation on the U.S. National team and then the season they had this past year. That’s what we hope for with Andrew. He has a similar experience where he’s continuing to get better and evolve and get more confident. He can pick up different aspects that he can bring into the season and explode with his growth and talent going forward.”
What have Pascal and Andrew enjoyed about playing with Tyrese?
Todd Ramasar:
“Andrew is such a selfless player and is such a joy to be around. I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with Tyrese even dating back to Sacramento. He’s a good person that loves hoop, loves winning and is a good teammate. When Pascal was first traded, his first game was in Portland. Tyrese was hurt with his hamstring. I saw Tyrese in the hallway prior to the game. He had the biggest grin on his face. I said, ‘We got it done Tyrese. I can’t wait for you to get back so you guys can play.’ He said, ‘What are you talking about? I’m playing tonight!’ He actually came back early because he was just so excited. I remember during the game when Pascal was on the bench, Tyrese made it a point to sit by him. He was engaged with him throughout the game with explaining the offense. That says a lot about Tyrese. That whole team, I credit ownership and the whole front office. That exemplifies when you hear about the ‘Hoosiers State.’ That is an organization that is basketball centric and are all about the right things from the top all the way down. Tyrese, Andrew, Pascal and Myles are all cut from the same cloth. They’re hoopers. They understand that their selfless acts will lend themselves to winning basketball.”
What’s your sense from Pascal and Andrew on what the Pacers can accomplish next season?
Ramasar:
“They haven’t talked about it. They haven’t talked about it because they’re going to hold court this offseason and all come together and work out. They won the regular-season series against Boston, and are the only team to do it in the NBA. To be in the Eastern Conference Finals against a team that ultimately won it with injuries, and yet two of those games came down to the last two minutes? Another thing to keep in mind: when a player of Pascal’s magnitude is traded to a team, there is an adjustment period. Now, Pascal is settled in and will have a training camp with the rest of the guys. Andrew and Tyrese will be coming off an Olympics run. They’re all healthy, a year older and a year more seasoned. They already know what’s at stake. I think with a lot of people underestimating them, they’re going to have a really good year next year. There won’t be as much pressure as you’d expect for a team that had been in the Eastern Conference Finals.”
After Pascal was traded, you said he would continue his work with his foundation. How that has evolved as he settled in with Indiana?
Todd Ramasar:
“Pascal’s ’43 Foundation’ is an initiative that is very and dear to him. He’s continuing to do work in Canada despite not being in Toronto anymore and all over that beautiful country. He’s doing stuff in Africa, and he’s soon to be doing more stuff in Indianapolis. That’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough – his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts and just giving back at a high level. Now it’s about getting Nike, Red Bull and his other portfolio brands, the Pacers and every contact he can touch to really get behind this initiative. It’s about giving back to underserved youth through sports or technology, whether it’s in North America or really digging in and expanding on what he’s done in Cameroon. That started with his basketball camps. He’s going to continue to do that this year at the end of August. Now he’s talking about building a school and an academy in Cameroon. We’re talking to friends of ours at the UN that Pascal knew going back to Canada and getting this momentum behind that to see it come to life."
"That’s what the future holds for him with being an ambassador for his native Cameroon. At 30, he’s just continuing to grow personally and professionally. That will only make his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts better. We’re just starting to get things established in Indiana and write that plan. His foundation is actually taking a big step with bringing on an executive director. There will be an even greater investment despite all the great work that he’s done already. All of those initiatives in Indianapolis are being established and will be put in place.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.