{"id":145236,"date":"2025-06-17T17:01:49","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T21:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=145236"},"modified":"2025-06-17T17:01:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T21:01:49","slug":"tyrese-haliburtons-finals-injury-and-pacers-make-a-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/17\/tyrese-haliburtons-finals-injury-and-pacers-make-a-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s Finals In Jeopardy And Pacers Make A Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

INDIANAPOLIS<\/strong> \u2013 In a series of developments that could shape the immediate and long-term future of the Indiana Pacers<\/a>, the team made a key trade while navigating the uncertainty of their star player’s health. According<\/a> to Shams Charania of ESPN, Indiana has traded its No. 23 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft to the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>. In return, the Pacers will reacquire their 2026 first-round pick, originally sent to Toronto<\/a> in the deal for Pascal Siakam<\/a>. This strategic move not only reshapes their draft outlook but also comes as the franchise confronts the most serious concern of its postseason run: Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s<\/a> injury, which now casts a long shadow over the team\u2019s fading hopes in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s Finals In Jeopardy And Pacers Make A Trade<\/h2>\n

A Trade for Flexibility, Not Just Assets<\/h3>\n

By trading away the No. 23 pick, the Pacers cleared nearly $3.2 million in cap space. In addition to financial breathing room, the deal returns their own first-round pick in 2026\u2014once routed through Toronto and New Orleans via earlier trades.<\/p>\n

The Pelicans, who also received G League guard Mojave King<\/a> in the exchange, now hold two first-round selections (Nos. 7 and 23) in the 2025 NBA Draft. King, 23, played 15 games for the Indiana Mad Ants last season before stints in Puerto Rico and New Zealand.<\/p>\n

For Indiana, the trade signals a balance between immediate flexibility and future continuity. It positions them to stay below the luxury tax and cap aprons, with an estimated $20 million in room entering this offseason. The Pacers now own their first-round pick in seven consecutive years beginning in 2026, giving the front office long-term leverage as they build around their emerging core.<\/p>\n

Haliburton\u2019s Injury Looms Over Game 6<\/h3>\n

While the front office moves chess pieces off the court, the on-court reality remains precarious. Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s injury resurfaced in Game 5 of the Finals when the All-Star guard aggravated his right calf early in the game. Although he returned with the leg heavily wrapped, Haliburton looked limited and ineffective.<\/p>\n

He played 34 minutes but failed to score from the field, missing all six of his shots. His four points represented the lowest playoff output of his career. More troubling, it was the first time in a postseason game that he finished without a made field goal.<\/p>\n

Head coach Rick Carlisle admitted after the game that Haliburton wasn\u2019t fully healthy. Still, the star guard signaled his intent to suit up for Game 6 in Indianapolis. \u201cIf I can walk, then I want to play,\u201d Haliburton declared, acknowledging the high stakes of a potential elimination game.<\/p>\n