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Will the Indiana Pacers trade back into the first round of the Draft?

The Pacers got rid of both of their first-round draft picks that they had this year in order to get Pascal Siakam. Could they trade back into the first round?

By Ryan Stano

Jan 30, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard speaks during an Indiana Pacers press conference to announce the contract extension of center Miles Turner at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard speaks during an Indiana Pacers press conference to announce the contract extension of center Miles Turner at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports / Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
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The Indiana Pacers started out the year with two first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft. They had their own as well as the worst first-round pick of Utah, Oklahoma City, and the Clippers. Now, both of those picks are gone and no longer in the Pacers' possession.

That's because they traded both picks as well as a 2026 first-round pick to the Toronto Raptors as part of an exchange that netted them Pascal Siakam. Now, they have re-signed Siakam to a max deal and he is locked in with Indiana for the next four seasons.

The byproduct of that trade means that the Pacers won't be involved in the NBA Draft on Wednesday at all. That's when the first round is taking place. They do have three second-round picks to use though. Is there any shot that they could trade back into the first round though?

Could the Pacers trade back into the first round?

With this being a draft light on potential superstars, there are a lot of guys who can help teams win now. That's the position that the Pacers are in right now. They are no longer rebuilding. Indiana has a real shot to win an NBA title next season if they can add the right kind of players.

Would they consider trading back into the first round to get a player that they think can help them do that? It's highly unlikely. There's not a player in the Draft this year that is worth giving up more assets to go and get. It's more likely that they make a trade for a player who's on an NBA roster already.

This was the perfect draft to trade two first-round picks. Kevin Pritchard has a track record of making some smart moves when it comes to trades. Trading back into the first round of a draft that will net maybe two All-Stars would not be a smart use of their trade assets.

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In all likelihood, the only action the Pacers will see during the Draft will be on Thursday.

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