NBA

Pacers receive:
2026 first-round pick (Pacers)

Pelicans receive:
2025 No. 23 overall pick
Rights to SG Mojave King

It’s typically an uneasy feeling for a NBA team to not hold the rights to its own first-round pick(s). After all, most franchises are one injury to their best player away from having one of the worst records in the league. Under that doomsday scenario, a club that traded its pick(s) away would be, for lack of a better word, screwed.

Therefore, the Pacers requiring their own 2026 first-round selection is smart, despite the team boasting a strong short-term outlook. This parting cost is fairly cheap for Indiana, as the No. 23 pick would add to the Pacers’ looming luxury tax bill. Also, King is still an unknown at this point. Indiana is purchasing insurance in the unlikely event that 2026 goes awry.

The Pelicans, on the other hand, are tossing away a lottery ticket. What if the wheels fall off for the Pacers next season? Was adding a late first-round pick in a decent draft worth it? I don’t think so, but not many moves by the Pelicans make much sense.

Pacers Grade: A-

Pelicans Grade: D+