Mojave King to be draft-and-stashed by Indiana Pacers, per multiple reports
According to multiple reports, Indiana Pacers draftee Mojave King will be a draft-and-stash, meaning he won't play for the blue and gold this season. Derek Kramer of iPacers was the first to report the news.
King was selected with the 47th overall pick by the Pacers in Thursday's draft, a selection that the team acquired after a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent his most recent professional season with the G League Ignite.
The 21-year old performed a pre-draft workout for the Pacers on June 10 alongside Portland Trail Blazers draftee Rayan Rupert. "It was a lot of fun," he said. "I think it went really, really well."
He played in 48 games for the Ignite this past season, the most of any player on the squad. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 26.6 minutes. He also participated in two events at 2023 NBA All-Star weekend — he finished with eight points, four rebounds, and three assists in the G League Next Up game as well as two points and two rebounds in the Rising Stars challenge.
At this time, it is unknown where King will play next season. The Indianapolis Star reported that he will be overseas somewhere. The Pacers will maintain his draft rights, and they will hold them for one calendar year beyond when his contract(s) with non-NBA club(s) is over. If he signs subsequent non-NBA deals, Indiana keeps his draft rights.
"We had two picks in the second round last night, Mojave King and Isaiah Wong... We're excited about both of those guys and adding them to our program," Pacers General Manager Chad Buchanan said on Friday.
With King not on the roster this coming season, there could be extra room for a two-way contract. Oscar Tshiebwe agreed to one yesterday, and Wong seems like an obvious choice for another. That only leaves one more open, but with King no longer in the mix, Kendall Brown seems like the leading candidate. Indiana picked Brown 48th overall in 2022.
King will not count against the Pacers roster numbers or salaries this coming season. It will be worth monitoring his overseas play.
- Indiana Pacers are 'excited' with what they have in first round picks Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard. CLICK HERE.
- One-on-one with Indiana Pacers first-round pick Ben Sheppard. CLICK HERE.
- Source: Indiana Pacers receive two second round draft picks in draft-night trade with Washington Wizards. CLICK HERE.
- Sources: Indiana Pacers to sign Oscar Tshiebwe to two-way contract. CLICK HERE.
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