In a strategic move ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers have reacquired their 2026 first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans while trading away their 2025 No. 23 pick and the rights to guard Mojave King. Initially, the Pacers had relinquished this pick in a deal for forward Pascal Siakam, which later saw the Raptors sending it to the Pelicans in exchange for Brandon Ingram. As the Pacers prepare for Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they are currently in a tight series trailing 3-2.

This marks the second consecutive year the Pacers will be without a first-round pick in the upcoming draft but they still hold the No. 54 pick in the second round. While King, selected by the Lakers in the 2023 NBA Draft, has yet to make an impact in the league, this trade is seen as a key factor in the Pacers’ future strategy.

The New York Knicks are in search of a new head coach after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau, but their efforts have faced significant obstacles. They encountered rejections when attempting to interview several high-profile candidates, including Chris Finch from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets, Jason Kidd from the Dallas Mavericks, Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks, and Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. Initially, there was mutual interest between the Knicks and Kidd, yet he preferred to negotiate a long-term deal with Dallas instead.

In the coaching carousel, Snyder and Donovan also withdrew from consideration. Snyder, recognized for his offensive prowess during his tenure with the Utah Jazz, was unable to advance past the second round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Donovan, who has had a mixed record with the Chicago Bulls, is still regarded for his coaching skills. Finch's recent success with the Timberwolves, including two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals, made him an attractive candidate. Given the Knicks' recent playoff performance, this offseason is crucial as they look to leverage their roster investments.

On this day, the Boston Celtics celebrated their historic 16th championship win against the Houston Rockets in 1986, marking a pinnacle in the franchise’s storied history. This victory was the third title for the legendary trio of Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale, a dominant force that would remain unbeaten until 2008.

The roster boasted exceptional talent, including four first-ballot Hall of Famers, showcasing an era of dominance rarely seen in the NBA. The Celtics ended the season with an impressive 67-15 record, with just one home loss, solidifying their legacy as one of the most formidable teams in basketball history.

Additionally, this day marks the anniversary of Larry Bird's signing with the Celtics in 1979, a bold move that paid off handsomely for Boston. Drafting Bird before he completed his collegiate career came with its challenges, leading to a record-breaking contract at the time. Bird humorously reflected on the situation, suggesting he would have played for nothing.

In a significant front-office shake-up, Austin Ainge has been appointed as the president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, stepping away from his role as assistant general manager with the Boston Celtics. Austin, the son of former Celtics executive Danny Ainge, will leverage his 14 years of experience in Boston to lead the Jazz, a team that has been struggling since the trading of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

The Jazz have struggled in recent seasons, finishing with just 17 wins this year. In contrast, the Celtics are coming off a championship win in 2024. This leadership change comes at a time when the Jazz possess valuable draft capital, including the No. 5 and 21 overall picks, which Austin will now oversee as he embarks on a rebuilding journey aimed at restoring the franchise's competitive edge.