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It's not a big deal, but I'm not sure why New Orleans did this move.

The 2026 pick was protected 1-4, but since the Pacers are good it probably was going to end up as a late pick. Better than #23? Maybe...maybe not.

They also help the Pacers save money.

We get our own #1 in 2026 back from the Paskal trade. We give up our #1 (#23) in this draft that we didn't want to have to pay anyway. I was hoping Kalkbrenner would have been there at #23 had we kept it.


We have enough young guys on the bench that can't get much playing time.

Dan Z wrote:It's not a big deal, but I'm not sure why New Orleans did this move.

The 2026 pick was protected 1-4, but since the Pacers are good it probably was going to end up as a late pick. Better than #23? Maybe...maybe not.

They also help the Pacers save money.

I suspect the Pelicans probably didn't see much of a range difference between this years pick and the 2026 pick in terms of where it will land. Cash out now in what's likely a better/deeper draft than 26, plus get rights to another player.

I can understand why they do it.

Pacers save some cash for Turner's extension and unlock their picks if they want to do some kind of "all-in" move.

The is a very curious deal for Indy to make today while still in the finals.

There must be some serious concerns about next years roster.

Wait what, Indy can make trades while still in the playoffs?

Bornstellar wrote:Wait what, Indy can make trades while still in the playoffs?

Doesn't involve any active players.

DusterBuster wrote:

Dan Z wrote:It's not a big deal, but I'm not sure why New Orleans did this move.

The 2026 pick was protected 1-4, but since the Pacers are good it probably was going to end up as a late pick. Better than #23? Maybe...maybe not.

They also help the Pacers save money.

I suspect the Pelicans probably didn't see much of a range difference between this years pick and the 2026 pick in terms of where it will land. Cash out now in what's likely a better/deeper draft than 26, plus get rights to another player.

I can understand why they do it.

Pacers save some cash for Turner's extension and unlock their picks if they want to do some kind of "all-in" move.

It's minor, but I think the pick won't be all that much better now than it would in the future. Plus, as you point out, it helps the Pacers with money concerns and flexibility.

...has it always been allowable for teams to make trades during the post season? Eliminated teams have always been able to trade active players, and teams still playing in the playoffs can trade picks? This isnt new?

DusterBuster wrote:

Bornstellar wrote:Wait what, Indy can make trades while still in the playoffs?

Doesn't involve any active players.

Neat, I had no idea that was a thing

poverty franchise (Pelicans) doing poverty things. Trading a pick in the loaded 2026 draft for the 23rd pick in a very bad draft is why certain franchises remain laughingstocks.

DusterBuster wrote:

Dan Z wrote:It's not a big deal, but I'm not sure why New Orleans did this move.

The 2026 pick was protected 1-4, but since the Pacers are good it probably was going to end up as a late pick. Better than #23? Maybe...maybe not.

They also help the Pacers save money.

I suspect the Pelicans probably didn't see much of a range difference between this years pick and the 2026 pick in terms of where it will land. Cash out now in what's likely a better/deeper draft than 26, plus get rights to another player.

I can understand why they do it.

Pacers save some cash for Turner's extension and unlock their picks if they want to do some kind of "all-in" move.

this is the exact opposite though. 2025 is one of the weakest and certainly shallowest draft classes. 2026 is potentially going to be an all-timer. Wherever you "2025 class is deep" people are getting your opinions you might want to seek out a different source.

Godymas wrote:The is a very curious deal for Indy to make today while still in the finals.

There must be some serious concerns about next years roster.

The last time Hali had a strain, he turned into Ben Simmons for half a season. They might be anticipating another slow start to next season.

It's also an option for the Pacers to include more picks in a potential trade either during next season or the following offseason, while there won't be many minutes for that Rookie next season anyhow, so it makes sense from their perspective.

Godymas wrote:The is a very curious deal for Indy to make today while still in the finals.

There must be some serious concerns about next years roster.

Like what?

Re-sign Turner for $30m

Dump Toppin, give his minutes to Walker

Re-sign Bryant to the min

= Indy under the tax

Indy can dodge the tax (if they want) next year and effectively roll out the same team.

My guess is Indy will be projected to finish better next year than they did this year, so I like it for NOP. For the Pacers they probably figure the 23rd pick isn’t helping them much next year anyways so get their pick back in case things go wrong

Pritchard working while the team competes. No days off

Godymas wrote:The is a very curious deal for Indy to make today while still in the finals.

There must be some serious concerns about next years roster.

You're reading too much into it. Their owner doesn't pay the tax, though there is noise that he may allow it for a year or two to keep the team together. Would have been impossible for them to bring everyone back with a 1st round salary getting added to the books and stay within those guidelines.

Good move by the Pels. This IS a good draft to have the 23rd pick.

Hoop Hunter wrote:We get our own #1 in 2026 back from the Paskal trade. We give up our #1 (#23) in this draft that we didn't want to have to pay anyway. I was hoping Kalkbrenner would have been there at #23 had we kept it.


We have enough young guys on the bench that can't get much playing time.

now you can tank next year