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San Antonio Spurs ditch No 38 pick to Indiana Pacers fueling debate over rebuild plan

San Antonio Spurs ditch No 38 pick to Indiana Pacers fueling debate over rebuild plan

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jun 26, 2025, 05:25 IST

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In a surprising pre-draft move, the San Antonio Spurs traded their No. 38 pick to the Indiana Pacers during the NBA Draft at Barclays Center. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Spurs will receive a future second-round pick and cash considerations. This deal provides San Antonio with increased flexibility and cap space as they focus on long-term growth.

San Antonio Spurs ditch No 38 pick to Indiana Pacers fueling debate over rebuild plan (Image Source: Getty Images)

The San Antonio Spurs are quietly making early moves before the draft night chaos takes full swing. While most teams are still lining up their picks, the Spurs have already pulled off a surprise. As the 2025 NBA Draft builds momentum at Barclays Center, sources say the Spurs have traded away their No. 38 pick, hinting at a bigger long-term plan taking shape behind the scenes.

San Antonio Spurs send No. 38 pick to Indiana Pacers in early Draft Day deal

On June 26, during the first round of the NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the San Antonio Spurs traded the No. 38 pick to the Indiana Pacers. This was the first confirmed trade of the night. In return, the Spurs will receive a future second-round pick and cash considerations, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania.

This early trade may not seem huge at first, but it gives the Spurs more flexibility for future drafts and adds money to their cap space. The Indiana Pacers, on the other hand, clearly want to build right now. They are aiming to use that No. 38 pick to bring in fresh talent this year.Reports also say the Spurs were already considering pushing their rebuild timeline back, so a move like this helps them stack future assets. Meanwhile, the Pacers are targeting immediate depth and want to act fast during this year's draft window.

Indiana Pacers focus on win-now talent while Spurs plan for long-term growth

The Indiana Pacers want to go far in the playoffs next season. By picking up this draft spot, they’re hoping to add a player who can help right away. It shows they’re thinking about winning now, not waiting.The San Antonio Spurs are still building their team slowly. They’re focused on growing young talent for the future.This trade lets them stay patient and flexible. A future second-rounder might not sound exciting, but it’s a smart move for a team looking to keep their options open.

This isn’t the biggest trade of the night, but it sets a tone. One team wants to build for the future. The other wants to win soon. Both sides gain something in return, either hope for now or plans for later.Also Read:Miami Heat’s smart trade strategy puts Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht in spotlight

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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