In a quiet but shrewd move during the NBA Finals on June 17, 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans secured the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft—and the rights to shooting guard Mojave King—by trading away their own 2026 first-round pick to the Indiana Pacers.
Holding both the seventh and 23rd picks in this month’s draft (June 25–26), the Pelicans now wield additional assets to potentially move up in the draft or select high-upside talent. The deal offers flexibility in roster construction and salary cap management, key as the offseason nears, and unfolds within a broader wave of early offseason maneuvering .
Why New Orleans Pulled the Trigger
1. Doubling as Draft Capital
With two first-round picks, the Pelicans can:
- Package both to trade up into the top 10—or even top 5—seeking a star-caliber talent that aligns with their core of Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum, and Dejounte Murray.
- Maintain one selection at 23 to add depth without risking position in a deal.
- Capitalize on draft depth in June’s upcoming selection pool..
2. Balancing Roster and Finances
Although giving up a future first-round pick reduces long-term flexibility, New Orleans adds immediate assets now—ready to be deployed however it wishes. This may prove more valuable than a pick landing in a less strategic spot in 2026. The move has been graded favorably by analysts, praising the Pelicans for positioning themselves with more agency during draft week.
Indiana’s Perspective: Reclaiming Control
Meanwhile, Indiana’s motivations are rooted in long-term planning:
- The Pacers regained their 2026 first-round pick, previously conveyed to Toronto (in the Pascal Siakam deal) and then to New Orleans (in the Brandon Ingram trade).
- This makes Indiana self-reliant with first-round selections from 2026 through 2032, dramatically upgrading their flexibility under the Stepien Rule (limiting consecutive future pick trades) and creating usable trade chips
- Financially, the move saves approximately $3.2 million in cap space, situating them around $20 million under the luxury tax line—a buffer useful when managing core player contracts and approaching potential negotiations with free agents like Myles Turner, whose future remains uncertain.
This transaction reflects Indiana’s dual priorities: preserving future draft flexibility and maintaining financial breathing room during a pivotal offseason .
Player Asset: Mojave King Joins Pelicans
Also included in the deal: the draft rights to Mojave King, the 23-year-old New Zealand guard selected in 2023. King, after stints in Puerto Rico and New Zealand, posted a combined 6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.0 apg in G League actions. New Orleans adds his rights, offering a low-risk, potentially high-upside prospect to their developmental pipeline.
Timing & Context: Offseason Momentum
This move joins a flurry of offseason action already underway—even before the conclusion of the NBA Finals. Teams like Orlando have engaged in blockbuster trades (e.g., acquiring Desmond Bane), and attention is already shifting toward drafting and free agency.
By acting now, the Pelicans position themselves early in the strategic shuffle, while the Pacers set themselves up for flexibility in July’s free-agent market and beyond.
What This Means for Draft 2025
With picks 7 and 23, New Orleans could:
- Stay put and draft two quality contributors.
- Flip the picks to move into the lottery for a transformative selection—possibly vying for players landing at No. 5 or No. 6 (e.g., Ace, VJ, Tre, Kon).
Fan speculation already hints at interest in specific tiers of players, although the front office has yet to signal a clear direction .
The Indiana Pacers, now armed with their own 2026 pick, are well-positioned for next year’s draft. With cap flexibility and draft assets in place, they’re prepared for multiple avenues—develop, trade, or retain picks, depending on roster evolution.
Final Take
This shift in draft assets between New Orleans and Indiana reflects two sides of strategic flexibility:
- Pelicans: Opting for immediate capital in the 2025 draft, with intent to move up or build institutional depth.
- Pacers: Securing long-range control, anchoring their cap and expanding future trade options.
As June 25 approaches, all eyes will turn to whether the Pelicans stand pat or package their picks to acquire a higher-impact rookie. Meanwhile, Indiana’s regained 2026 pick will quietly influence trades and roster constructions in the seasons ahead.
