Pascal Siakam's impact on Toronto remains after being traded from Raptors

Pascal Siakam is no longer a Raptor but his love affair with Toronto will continue.

The 29-year-old all-star forward was traded from the Raptors to the Indiana Pacers earlier this week, the last major player from Toronto's 2019 NBA championship roster to leave the team. But Siakam, who is from Douala, Cameroon, said in an article written for the Players' Tribune on Friday that after eight seasons in Toronto, it's now his home.

"It's where I live. It's where so many of the things I care about are, and where my brothers and sisters are, and where my PS43 Foundation is and will continue to be," wrote Siakam. "Man ... I'm so excited to continue that work. This isn't 'thanks for the memories,' then I go someplace else.

"Basketball can take me all over the world. But like I said: This is home."

Centre Christian Koloko, who has missed all season with respiratory issues, was waived by the Raptors in a corresponding move.

"None of that changes what Toronto has meant to me, though, and what it will keep meaning," said Siakam.

"I put roots down for myself here — like, really, roots. I hope people reading this understand how big that was for me."

WATCH | Raptors fans left dumbfounded after Siakam trade:

Siakam's basketball career almost didn't happen. On Thursday, Raptors president Masai Ujiri emotionally recounted how it all came together by chance when Siakam was discovered in South Africa while visiting his sister before pursuing pastoral school.

Instead, Siakam attended a Basketball Without Borders camp and went on to play U.S. college hoops at New Mexico State before being drafted by Toronto 27th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.

"All-NBA, all-star, all-everything, championship," said Ujiri, marvelling at the happenstance that