Report: Indiana Pacers engaged in trade talks involving NBA Draft picks 26, 29, and 32

The Pacers have five draft picks in 2023

In ESPN's latest NBA mock draft, Jeremy Woo reported that the Indiana Pacers could be making some moves with their later draft picks.

"The Pacers have been engaged in trade talks involving the Nos. 26, 29 and 32 picks as they continue to weigh the best path forward," Woo says. The Pacers own those picks as well as picks seven and 55 in the June 22 draft.

For a team in Indiana's position, such an idea makes a ton of sense. They want to make the playoffs next season, something All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has mentioned multiple times throughout the offseason.

A team that wants to win can't conceivably bring in a handful of rookies. One or two, sure, but five is far too many. If the Pacers want to reach the postseason next year, moving their resources around for more immediate contributors makes a ton of sense.

Additionally, the team has fewer roster spots than draft picks. Only three players from the team's standard roster are entering free agency for the blue and gold this summer, but they have five draft picks. That math doesn't add up, so some moves will need to be made.

With all that in mind, Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard has noted several times how unlikely it is that Indiana actually makes five picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. "We're not going to keep all five picks, but there's just a lot of things we could do," he said at the NBA Draft lottery. "My guess is we'll get a lot of offers for those picks, too."

Making a selection at seven and then seeing what is available via trade for the three picks between 25 and 35 would be smart business for the Pacers. That would allow them to grab a talented prospect and still acquire veterans who can contribute and help out now. Given the direction Indiana appears to be heading, this intel from Woo comes as little surprise.

This report comes not long after Marc Stein of The Stein Line noted that the Pacers could be looking to climb the draft board. Packaging 26, 29, and 32 to move up would make sense for Indiana and would tie the two reports together.

The NBA draft is in eight days, and the Pacers will be a team to watch all night. Trades are likely coming in Indiana, the question is more about which picks get moved and for who.

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