Indiana Pacers swap future draft pick for San Antonio Spurs' 38th pick in NBA Draft.
So, the Indiana Pacers have struck a deal with the San Antonio Spurs for the upcoming NBA draft, y'know?
The handy scoop is that the Pacers get the 38th pick in the second round, while studiously giving up a future second-round pick and some good ol' greenbacks to the Spurs. Is it just me, or does everyone and their grandma seem to be talking about this deal?
Well, the Spurs have already got their hands full with two lottery picks and a whole heap of players signed up for the next season. So, they don't exactly need another early second-round pick for the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, the Pacers could use it for various reasons – money is tight for the Blue and Gold, after all.
The Low-Down on Why the Pacers Made the Move
For the Pacers, this deal comes in handy because of their financial situation, and the recent injury to Tyrese Haliburton, who went down during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. They might be close to, or even over the luxury tax threshold for the 2025-26 season, meaning they could use some cheap talent to keep their finances afloat.
Cheaper rookies are a better investment, especially when drafted in the second round of the NBA draft, as their minimum salary is less than veterans who've been in the league for several years. Before the trade, the Pacers had only the 54th overall pick. They could have simply signed a player picked that deep to a standard contract, but it's more likely they'd have signed a two-year deal.
Now, the Pacers have a choice. They could select a player with the 38th pick and make use of the second-round pick exception to sign them to a multi-year contract with a low starting salary. They've done this before – with 35th overall pick Johnny Furphy in 2023, and 31st overall pick Andrew Nembhard in 2022. Both players had lower salaries during the early years of their contracts, and it's a strategy the Pacers could employ again with pick number 38.
More Options for the Pacers
Another possibility for the Pacers is using the 38th pick to move up even further in the draft. In 2021, they traded young guard Aaron Holiday and the 31st overall pick to the Washington Wizards and received the 22nd pick. This shows they're not afraid to part ways with younger players to move up in the draft and acquire another rookie-scale player in the first round.
A Win-Win for the Pacers
Over the years, the Pacers have made a few shrewd moves in the early part of the second round, and many have proven successful. With the 38th pick, they now have yet another chance for a win-win situation, balancing immediate needs with their long-term asset management.
[1] Source: articles.indianapolismonthly.com/2023/...[2] Source: bleacherreport.com/...[3] Source: sports.yahoo.com/...[5] Source: basketballinsiders.com/...
The Indiana Pacers, in their bid to address their financial situation and adapt to the loss of Tyrese Haliburton, have made an NBA trade with the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. The Pacers are anticipating the 38th pick in the second round, giving up a future second-round pick and some money to the Spurs, who already possess two lottery picks and a full roster for the upcoming season. This deal,being widely discussed, demonstrates the Pacers' strategic approach to the NBA draft, where they can now select a cheaper rookie, sign them to a multi-year contract with a low starting salary, or even trade the pick to climb up in the draft, as they've previously done.
