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The Indiana Pacers currently do not have a single selection in next week's 2026 NBA Draft. After losing their first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers, reports have come out that the team might want to trade back in.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Pacers would like to trade for an early second-round pick somewhere in the 30's.
"The Pacers are looking to trade for a pick somewhere in the 30s early in the second round, according to league sources," Fischer wrote.
If Kevin Prichard and the Indiana front office are legitimately interested in trading into the high portion of the second round, there are a few different teams who could become partners.
One of those teams is the New York Knicks, who currently hold the No. 31 overall pick.
Seeing the Pacers and Knicks come together on a trade would feel strange. The two teams do not like each other at all. An old-time rivalry has been rekindled in recent years.
Prior to this season, when New York won its first championship since 1973, Indiana had eliminated the Knicks out of the playoffs in each of the two previous years. Unfortunately, disaster struck for the Pacers this season.
During the 2024-25 NBA Finals, Indiana took the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7. Tyrese Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles during that game and was forced to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
Being able to acquire the No. 31 pick would give the Pacers plenty of options. There are multiple players they could consider targeting.
Among that group of players are Purdue point guard Braden Smith, Houston wing Emanuel Sharp, Cincinnati forward/center Baba Miller, or Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson. There are many other players Indiana could have interest in as well.
Only time will tell if the Pacers can get a deal done to move into the early stage of the second round. On the outside looking in, New York might end up being the best potential trade partner for Indiana.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about the Pacers as the draft approaches. They are not far away from winning their first NBA championship and it would not be surprising to see the front office have an aggressive mindset.
Continue reading...
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Pacers would like to trade for an early second-round pick somewhere in the 30's.
"The Pacers are looking to trade for a pick somewhere in the 30s early in the second round, according to league sources," Fischer wrote.
If Kevin Prichard and the Indiana front office are legitimately interested in trading into the high portion of the second round, there are a few different teams who could become partners.
One of those teams is the New York Knicks, who currently hold the No. 31 overall pick.
Seeing the Pacers and Knicks come together on a trade would feel strange. The two teams do not like each other at all. An old-time rivalry has been rekindled in recent years.
Prior to this season, when New York won its first championship since 1973, Indiana had eliminated the Knicks out of the playoffs in each of the two previous years. Unfortunately, disaster struck for the Pacers this season.
During the 2024-25 NBA Finals, Indiana took the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7. Tyrese Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles during that game and was forced to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
Being able to acquire the No. 31 pick would give the Pacers plenty of options. There are multiple players they could consider targeting.
Among that group of players are Purdue point guard Braden Smith, Houston wing Emanuel Sharp, Cincinnati forward/center Baba Miller, or Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson. There are many other players Indiana could have interest in as well.
Only time will tell if the Pacers can get a deal done to move into the early stage of the second round. On the outside looking in, New York might end up being the best potential trade partner for Indiana.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about the Pacers as the draft approaches. They are not far away from winning their first NBA championship and it would not be surprising to see the front office have an aggressive mindset.
Continue reading...
