Pacers Acquire Spurs 38th Pick in NBA Draft Trade

On the eve of the 2025 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs traded the 38th overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a future second-round pick in 2030 originally from Sacramento and cash considerations. This deal marks the first trade of draft night and allows the Pacers to have two second-round picks (38th and 54th) after having traded away their first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans the previous week to re-acquire their 2026 first-round pick. The Pacers, facing the loss of All-Star Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles injury, are likely using the additional second-round pick to add depth with a lower salary cap impact, while the Spurs, who hold the 2nd and 14th picks in the first round, are managing their roster and future assets by acquiring multiple future picks and cash. The Spurs' trade reflects a strategic move to accumulate future picks, particularly betting on the Sacramento Kings' future struggles, as they now hold multiple second-round picks in upcoming years. Both teams appear to be positioning themselves thoughtfully for the upcoming season and beyond, with the Pacers aiming to fill gaps in their lineup and the Spurs leveraging their strong first-round position to build long-term assets. The second round of the draft will officially start the following day, continuing the selection process at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.