Pelicans acquire Pacers' 1st-round pick, give up 2026 selection
The Indiana Pacers swapped draft picks with the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday while gaining financial flexibility going into the offseason.
The Pacers, currently trailing Oklahoma City 3-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals, sent the No. 23 pick in next week's draft to the Pelicans as well as the rights to former G League shooting guard Mojave King, per ESPN.
In exchange, the Pelicans gave the Pacers the 2026 first-round pick that Indiana originally had before sending it to Toronto last season as part of the trade bringing All-Star forward Pascal Siakam to Indiana. The Raptors shipped the draft pick to New Orleans in February in their acquisition of forward Brandon Ingram.
New Orleans now has picks No. 7 and No. 23 in this year's draft on June 25-26.
Indiana now has its own first-round selections from 2026 through 2032. The Pacers also save almost $3.2 million in salary cap space, ESPN reported, and will be about $20 million below the luxury tax.
That space is valuable as the Pacers have most of their core players under contract for next season with starting center Myles Turner eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.
The 6-foot-5 King, who turned 23 on June 11, is a native of New Zealand and played professionally this season in his home country as well as Puerto Rico.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected King in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft and dealt him the next day to the Pacers as part of a four-team trade.
King played a combined 45 games (eight starts) in the G League in the 2022-23 (Ignite) and 2023-24 (Indiana Mad Ants) seasons and averaged 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist.
--Field Level Media
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Rutgers forward Ace Bailey or Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe would be the likely targets. While a move up to No. 2 for Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper would be the exact addition this team needs, most reports indicate that the Spurs have been very reluctant to include the second pick in any trade talks they've had in recent weeks. Even if San Antonio were to entertain the thought of trading the pick, I doubt they'd want to turn that asset into even more draft picks. The Spurs are looking to add young, All-Star talent around Victor Wembanyama. Recent reports have stated they have been . That leaves the other two obvious trade-up spots: Philadelphia at No. 3 and Charlotte at No. 4. Based on its current needs, Charlotte seems more likely to stay where it is rather than move back. Both Bailey and Edgecombe would fit the Hornets' patient build. The Sixers are in a more complicated position. With Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey still on the roster, Philly clearly would prefer to make moves this summer that can help it win immediately. Do the Sixers have the patience to wait for Bailey to grow up and improve his shot selection? Does Edgecombe have enough in his offensive game to be a threat in his rookie season when he's on the court with Embiid and Maxey? Or is he a guy who defenses will ignore until his jump shot is a bit more reliable? The Sixers could take a long-term view and decide that building a foundation that will endure after Embiid is gone is a better strategy, but that doesn't align with the moves Sixers lead executive Daryl Morey has made his entire career. When he has opportunities like this, Morey has always looked to add another big star. Would it be easier for him to package the Pelicans' two picks along with other assets to chase a big name, or is the third pick a more valuable commodity? In particular, Bailey's stock clouds that situation. ESPN reported on Tuesday that Bailey has declined draft workouts with teams in his likely landing spots, implying that he is more interested in playing for a team that could feature him more prominently sooner. Why trade up to No. 3 when some believe Bailey might drop to seventh because of the issues he's had in the pre-draft process? I'd say that's a stretch, but trading up with Philadelphia would require a level of aggression that the Pelicans shouldn't entertain at this time. Then there are the two names that so many people have speculated about in recent weeks: What if Philly says a move up to No. 3 would cost New Orleans either Trey Murphy or Herb Jones? That very much seems like a request Morey would make, and it's one New Orleans should turn down immediately. Murphy and Jones' names have frequently appeared in the rumor mill over the past few months, but every indication I've received is that it would take an overwhelming offer for New Orleans to move either player. Even if you love Bailey's potential, is it worth the risk when Murphy and Jones have both shown how valuable they are to this organization? Considering how tumultuous things have been around the Pelicans all summer — including some not-so-flattering remarks from Dejounte Murray in an interview with 'The Pivot' on Tuesday about his first year in New Orleans — the thought of moving on from Murphy or Jones would only enrage the fan base even more. I'd expect New Orleans to evaluate the possibility of moving up, but it'll be difficult for it to find a move that makes sense. Then, there's the version of this that's not as sexy, which includes the Pelicans selecting someone at No. 7 and using the 23rd pick to move down in this draft and/or bring in future assets. Some talented prospects will be available in the 20-25 range of this year's draft, and the Pelicans could use this as a way to build up their asset base. Advertisement The Brooklyn Nets, who have the 19th, 26th, 27th and 36th picks in the draft, are a team to watch. Would Brooklyn give up two of those later picks to move up to 23 if it likes someone in that range? Could the Pelicans convince Oklahoma City to give up a future asset or two to move up a spot? Either way, the Pelicans find themselves in a much better position going into next week's draft. Suddenly, Dumars is in a position to make some important moves during his first summer in charge. The question is, will he eventually swing for the fences, or will he keep making the smart, under-the-radar moves like he did with Tuesday's trade? (Photo of Ace Bailey: Michael Reavers / Getty)
