In a strategic offseason maneuver, the Indiana Pacers have traded the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft along with the draft rights to Mojave King to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a top-4 protected 2026 first-round pick – a selection that originally belonged to the Pacers.
This move gives the Pelicans two first-rounders in the upcoming June 25 draft: No. 7 and No. 23 overall.
For New Orleans, this enhances their immediate draft capital, offering options to either select two young contributors or use the picks as leverage in trade discussions.
For Indiana, however, the benefits are long-term. By reacquiring their own 2026 first-round pick, the Pacers have reestablished control over their future draft positioning.
That selection had previously been sent to the Toronto Raptors as part of the 2024 Pascal Siakam trade. It was later included in the Brandon Ingram deadline deal, sending it to the Pelicans.
The pick comes with protections top-4 in both 2026 and 2027 but represents a significant asset as the team builds around its current core.
With this deal, Indiana now holds its first-round picks for the next seven drafts (2026–2032).
Financially, the trade also helps the Pacers. Offloading the No. 23 pick removes $3.2 million in salary obligations for the 2025–26 season.
That move contributes to Indiana staying an estimated $20 million below the luxury tax, with ample breathing room beneath both the first and second tax aprons.
This increased financial flexibility gives the Pacers more options in free agency, trades, or extending current players.
From Indiana’s side, the trade represents a commitment to long-term sustainability over short-term additions.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is focused on maximizing its current window with multiple first-rounders that could yield contributors or be packaged in a larger deal to reshape the roster.
In essence, this trade reflects two teams at different stages of team-building: Indiana is banking on flexibility and control, while New Orleans is focused on immediacy and optionality.
Pacers Trade No. 23 Pick To Pelicans To Reclaim Own 2026 First-Rounder https://t.co/sw3QZpXVxe
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 17, 2025
