Analysis of Pelicans trading motivation: Pacers can trade 2 more in the first round, and Pelicans can trade upward to Bailey

(The original article was published on June 18, and the author is Jasmyn Wimbish of CBS Sports. The content of the article does not represent the translator's views)

A deal has just occurred in the NBA, but it is not the Durant deal that everyone is looking forward to. The Pacers sent the No. 23 pick to the Pelicans next week's draft for their own first-round pick in 2026. The Pacers also sent the signing rights of the 2023 second-round pick Mojave King (not yet listed in the NBA) to the Pelicans.

On the surface, this may be like a puzzling deal, and we usually don't see teams fighting in the NBA Finals dealing with other matters. In fact, the only reason this deal can be compliant is that it does not involve any active players. But after analyzing the details in depth, you will find that this is of great strategic significance to both sides. CBS Sports' Jasmyn Wimbish parses the Pacers and Pelicans' trading motivations and looks forward to the long-term benefits it may bring.

Why do Pacers make this deal?

Pacers won: 2026's first-round draft pick

The outside world is inevitably puzzled why the Pacers are going to exchange their first-round pick for next week's draft for their first-round pick next year. There is actually a reasonable logic behind this. First, if the Pacers plan to renew their contract with Turner, who will become a full free agent this summer, means they will pay the luxury tax for the first time since the 2005-06 season, and the team's management is reportedly willing to keep Turner at that price. Trading this year's No. 23 signing can save the team about $3.2 million in luxury tax bills. Although the amount is not large, under the strict new labor-capital agreement, the more the team gets closer to the first or second rich line, the easier it is to face heavy penalties, and every dollar is crucial.

Another meaning of this deal for the Pacers is: after giving up this year's first round pick and regaining control of their first round picks in 2026, the Pacers are now qualified to trade up to four first round picks between 2026 and 2032. Previously, the Pacers' first round picks were accompanied by the top four picks for 2026 and 2027 protection clauses, which means they can only trade first round picks for 2029 and 2031. By retrieving the 2026 first-round picks, the Pacers can now trade four first-round picks for 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032.

has the ability to trade four first-round picks, putting the Pacers in an excellent strategic position. In the future, we can continue to upgrade our lineup around the championship through blockbuster transactions, and we can also conduct multiple small-scale operations towards the same goal. Regardless of the path chosen, Pacers with a large number of draft assets will maintain flexible operating space to ensure continued competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.

Why do the Pelicans make this deal?

The Pelicans won: The No. 23 pick in this year's draft, Mojave King's signing rights

At this moment, there may still be many Pelicans fans wondering: Why should the team exchange the future first round pick for this year's first round pick? I understand this confusion. For non-Champions League teams, asset accumulation should be the top priority, but the Pelicans' move is actually very smart. This year's draft conference is full of talents, and the Pelicans, who hold the No. 7 and No. 23, can directly inject fresh blood into the lineup. The team's lineup may face adjustments next season. Considering that the Pacers are likely to make another deep round of the playoffs next year, the first round pick next year is likely to be comparable to the No. 23 pick this year, so there is no substantial loss in this deal. As for the second round pick Mojave King, the 20-year-old defender averaged only 1.7 points per game in the NBL this season, which is a low-risk lottery asset. The Pelicans' signing rights are more important as a trader and will not affect the overall value assessment.

More importantly, the Pelicans, who hold two first-round picks this year, may use it as a bargaining chip for upward trades. ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony revealed that the Pelicans were "extremely tempted" about the possibility of picking Espee Pele, who recently declined to try out for multiple teams (to ensure a "clear superstar training path"). Pele is expected to try out for the 76ers who hold the 3rd draw and are open to the deal. The Pelicans may be able to make an offer to the 76ers based on the two first-round picks they just won. Of course, it is almost impossible to impress the 76ers with these two signings alone, so players like Herbert Jones may also need to be added to facilitate the deal. Although the Pelicans had previously insisted that they were reluctant to trade Herbert Jones, is the temptation of winning the Teshua lottery enough to make them give up the best defensive line-level forward?

With the future of Zion's uncertainty, this may be a good opportunity for the Pelicans to introduce top talented players like Es Bailey to reshape the core of the team. As the most malleable rookie among the top players in this year's draft, Pele not only has the ability to score independently and defensively, but his physical condition is also a template that perfectly matches the modern NBA wing. For the Pelicans, who have never realized their potential in the Zion era, Es Bailey could be the perfect "restart button".

This transaction is a win-win situation for both parties. The most interesting thing next is to observe the subsequent actions of the two teams after this transaction. How will the Pacers use the flexibility of newly acquired draft assets? Will the Pelicans really pack up the draft picks to trade? These dynamics will determine how much strategic value this seemingly low-key deal will eventually produce.

Original text: Jasmyn Wimbish

Compiled by: Li Taibai