Pacers make trade with Pelicans in the middle of the NBA finals

INDIANAPOLIS - While the Pacers team and coaching staff are still focused on winning an NBA title, Indiana's front office is also making moves for the future.




The fact that the Pacers are preparing for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Indianapolis, isn't stopping Executive Kevin Pritchard from carrying on with trades.




ESPN's Shams Charania said Tuesday that the team has finalized a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pacers are reportedly sending a 2025 first-round pick (No. 23) and the rights to Mojave King in exchange for Indiana's own 2026 first-round pick, which the Pelicans previously acquired.




This means the Pacers have now partially recouped assets they sent to the Toronto Raptors in the January 2024 trade for Pascal Siakam. As a result, Indiana now owns future first-round picks in every draft after this year.




While the timing of the trade may be surprising, this is not the first time a team has made moves while playing in the NBA Finals.




In 2023, the Denver Nuggets swapped draft picks with the Thunder in the midst of facing the Miami Heat in the Finals. The Nuggets went on to win the series 4-1.




The Pacers' trade comes less than 24 hours after the Pacers' Game 5 loss Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder now have a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals series, with Game 6 being played Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/pacers/pacers-make-trade-with-pelicans-in-the-middle-of-the-nba-finals/