Here’s a clean summary of the deal:
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The **Indiana Pacers** have officially completed a mid-Finals trade with the **New Orleans Pelicans**, sending their No. 23 selection in the 2025 NBA Draft plus the draft rights to guard **Mojave King** in exchange for their own **2026 first-round pick** previously traded away ([ourmidland.com][1], [si.com][2]).
This move, revealed on **June 17, 2025**, grants Indiana more long-range flexibility. Prior to the trade, they held just two future first‑rounders—2028 and 2030 (later joined by Milano’s 2032 protection). Reacquiring the 2026 pick now gives them **four** tradable first‑round selections (2026, ’28, ’30, ’32) ([si.com][2]).
Front-office executives, including GM Chad Buchanan, regard this as a “savvy” strategic move toward long-term versatility. As Forbes’ Evan Sidery noted, it positions Indiana to potentially execute a bold future trade or carve a sustainable asset pathway ([si.com][2]).
Indiana’s draft footprint in 2025 shrinks—they were left with only a second-round pick (#54), having traded away their first-round entitlement (#23) ([yardbarker.com][3]).
**Bottom line:** While Indiana sacrifices an immediate draft asset, they’re betting on future flexibility and maintaining control over a strong run of first-rounders—an aggressive long-term play amidst their Finals appearance.
