INDIANA BEATS THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS TO SWAP 2ND-ROUND DRAFT PICKS
Indiana Pacers send draft pick to San Antonio Spurs in exchange for pick #38 in NBA Draft.
Hoosier State's ballers, the Indiana Pacers, have struck a deal with the Western Conference's San Antonio Spurs, swapping their 2025 2nd-round selections.
The trade, as rumors swirl, will see the Indiana Pacers bagging the 38th pick, while the Spurs walk away with a future 2030 2nd-round selection that originally belonged to the Sacramento Kings - a pick the Pacers acquired in a 2023 trade involving Chris Duarte. Additionally, the Swimming with Spurs will pocket some greenbacks in cash considerations.
With San Antonio boasting two lottery picks and a dozen players under contract for the upcoming season, their demand for a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft is minimal. Conversely, the Pacers could put this asset to good use - whether it's for drafting a promising prospect or facilitating a trade.
BEHIND THE TRADE WITH SAN ANTONIO
For the Pacers, this deal presents several benefits. The team's financial situation is precarious following Tyrese Haliburton's unfortunate injury during the NBA Finals, pushing the squad's luxury tax threshold for the 2025-26 season. To avoid penalties, finding economical talent has become vital.
Rookies drafted in the second round sign for smaller salaries than their veteran counterparts, making them more attractive for teams with possible budget constraints. Prior to this trade, the Pacers' sole second-round pick was stuck at the 54th overall spot. While they could have signed any player taken at this depth to a standard contract, it's worth noting that more often than not, late picks opt for two-way deals.
With the 38th overall pick now in their arsenal, the Pacers have more possibilities. They can potentially draft a player and utilize the Second-Round Pick Exception in the 2023 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement to pen a multi-year, low-salary contract, just like they did with Johnny Furphy (35th overall pick) the previous season.
Another prospective use for the 38th pick is trade manipulation. The Pacers could look to move up further in the draft by packaging the 38th pick with a younger player, much like they did when they sent Aaron Holiday and the 31st overall selection to the Washington Wizards in exchange for pick number 22 back in 2021.
This deal shows that the Pacers are being strategic with their draft strategies, aiming to amass young talent and secure their future on the court and financially. Early indications suggest this move will help the team balance their immediate roster needs with their long-term financial planning.
The Indiana Pacers, following Tyrese Haliburton's injury during the NBA Finals, have strategically swapped their 2025 2nd-round draft pick with the San Antonio Spurs, potentially securing a more economical talent. With the acquired 38th pick, the Pacers can now draft a player or use the Second-Round Pick Exception to sign a low-salary contract, similar to Johnny Furphy's the previous season, or trade the pick to move up in the draft. This NBA trade exemplifies the Pacers' commitment to balancing their immediate roster needs with their long-term financial planning, as they continue to build their future in basketball and sports.
