As the Indiana Pacers slip to 2-3 in the NBA Finals behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team is already preparing for next season. On Tuesday, they agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pacers will send the 23rd pick in this year's draft, as well as the rights to Mojave King of the New Zealand league, to New Orleans for their own pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Pelicans originally acquired Indiana's 2026 pick in the trade that sent Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors got the pick in the deal that landed the trade that sent Pascal Siakam to Indiana.
King has played in the G League, New Zealand, Australia, and Puerto Rico, but has never played in the NBA.
Heading into next season, the Pacers have 11 players under contract and will likely re-sign Myles Turner and perhaps Thomas Bryant, leaving them with only two roster spots. If Indiana used the 23rd pick in the draft, they would have to sign that player to a deal guaranteed through two seasons, limiting their flexibility.
The Pacers have already proven that they can win the Eastern Conference with their current roster, and adding a young player when they have the means to add an established talent in free agency could hinder their success next season.
On top of that, the 2026 NBA Draft is expected to be even better than the 2025 class, so the Pacers could flip next year's pick or simply use it to add a better layer than they would have this season.
The Pacers now own only the 54th pick in 2025, who will likely sign a two-way contract.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.