As the 2025 NBA free agency period approaches, the league is poised for significant changes. With negotiations set to begin soon after the NBA Finals, teams will be keen to secure top talents. Several high-profile players are expected to enter free agency, including LeBron James, who recently signed a two-year contract with the Lakers, and James Harden, who has a player option for the upcoming season.

Julius Randle and Kyrie Irving, both facing crucial decisions regarding their contracts, could impact their teams' strategies. Notably, Irving’s recent injury raises questions about his future and the Mavericks' direction, particularly after trading Luka Doncic. Other prominent names like Myles Turner, who has been a consistent force for the Pacers, and rising stars such as Josh Giddey and Fred VanVleet are also projected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming free agency frenzy.

The New Orleans Pelicans have made a strategic move by acquiring the No. 23 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft from the Indiana Pacers. This trade, first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, also includes the draft rights to Mojave King, the 47th overall pick in the 2023 Draft. To facilitate this, the Pacers have regained their own 2026 first-round pick, previously traded to the Toronto Raptors in the Pascal Siakam deal. This transaction is expected to offer the Pacers salary-cap relief as they aim to re-sign center Myles Turner.

With this acquisition, the Pelicans now possess two first-round picks (Nos. 7 and 23) for the upcoming draft, indicating their intent to revamp a team that recently finished with a dismal 21-61 record. They have been conducting predraft workouts with numerous prospects, suggesting a focused approach to enhancing their roster through this draft.

The Indiana Pacers, currently 2-3 in the NBA Finals, are looking ahead to next season after finalizing a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. In this deal, the Pacers are sending the 23rd pick of this year’s draft along with rights to Mojave King in exchange for their own 2026 NBA Draft pick. The Pelicans previously acquired this 2026 pick as part of the Brandon Ingram trade. Having only 11 players under contract, the Pacers aim to maximize their roster flexibility for next season.

Retaining key players like Myles Turner and possibly Thomas Bryant will be crucial as they navigate this offseason. The Pacers need to avoid limiting their options by committing to a rookie. With a promising 2026 draft class on the horizon, the Pacers are strategically positioning themselves to enhance their roster either through trades or free agency. Their focus is on balancing the present with future potential while maintaining competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.

The Indiana Pacers are making moves ahead of the NBA draft, trading their 2023 first-round pick, No. 23 overall, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for their own first-round pick in 2026. This strategic decision is aimed at maximizing their financial flexibility as they approach the offseason, providing the Pacers with nearly $3.2 million in salary cap space. The Pelicans, on the other hand, bolster their draft arsenal as they now hold two first-round picks for the upcoming draft on June 25-26.

The deal also includes the transfer of rights to Mojave King, a former player with the Indiana G League team. The Pacers, entering the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 and trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder 3-2, are likely to stick with most of their core roster. However, the future of Myles Turner, an unrestricted free agent, remains uncertain.

The Indiana Pacers are in peril after dropping their second consecutive game in the NBA Finals, losing 120-109 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which puts them down 3-2 in the series. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton struggled significantly, failing to score on six attempts due to a recurring ankle injury, while Andrew Nembhard faltered in crucial moments. With Game 6 looming, the Pacers face intense scrutiny regarding their offseason strategy, including a potential trade of their first-round draft pick to maintain flexibility with Myles Turner's impending contract situation.

Amid discussions about team-building, ESPN draft expert Jeremy Woo identified Colorado State's Nique Clifford as a potential target, citing the 6-foot-5 swingman’s dual-threat capability as a possible immediate contributor. However, the Pacers' willingness to offload their pick to remain financially viable has emerged as a pressing concern, especially with Turner's contract negotiations looming.