Mojave King NBA Update: The 2023 Story Still Unfolding
- 01. Mojave King NBA Update: The 2023 Story Still Unfolding
- 02. Draft Night and Immediate Trade Details
- 03. 2022-23 G League Ignite Season Performance
- 04. 2023-24 Indiana Mad Ants Season and Injury Challenges
- 05. New Zealand Breakers Contract and NBL25 Season
- 06. Physical Profile and Scouting Assessment
- 07. Historical Context: Third New Zealand Player in NBA Draft
Mojave King NBA Update: The 2023 Story Still Unfolding
Mojave King was selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, whose draft rights were immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers on June 23, 2023, but as of 2024 King has not appeared in a regular-season NBA game and remains under contract with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL for the 2024-25 season while Indiana retains his NBA rights. The 21-year-old guard from Dunedin, New Zealand, played 15 games for the Indiana Mad Ants (Pacers' G League affiliate) in 2023-24, averaging 3.9 points per game amid injury setbacks, and his path to the NBA remains a developmental story still unfolding more than a year after the draft.
Draft Night and Immediate Trade Details
The 2023 NBA Draft marked a historic moment for New Zealand basketball when King became the third Kiwi ever selected, following Sean Marks and Steven Adams. The Lakers chose him with pick 47 in the second round, but the transaction records show a complex multi-player deal executed just 24 hours later.
| Date | Transaction Detail | Teams Involved |
|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2023 | Lakers select King, Round 2, Pick 17 (47th overall) | Los Angeles Lakers |
| June 23, 2023 | Draft rights traded for Jalen Pickett + Julian Strawther rights | Lakers → Indiana Pacers |
| June 17, 2025 | Draft rights acquired with 2025 1st round pick | Pacers → New Orleans Pelicans |
| July 6, 2025 | Draft rights acquired with Cam Whitmore trade | Pelicans → Houston Rockets |
This trade-chain complexity is common for second-round picks, where teams often retain rights while the player develops overseas or in the G League. Indiana's decision to keep King's rights while he plays in New Zealand aligns with their patient development strategy for late-second-round selections.
2022-23 G League Ignite Season Performance
Before the draft, King spent the 2022-23 season with the NBA G League Ignite, marking his first foray into American basketball after three seasons in Australia's NBL. His performance with Ignite provided scouts with measurable data against elite developmental competition.
- Games Played: 30 games with 8 starts during the 2022-23 season
- Minutes Per Game: 25.1 average across all appearances
- Points Per Game: 8.1 points with 41.3% field goal shooting
- Rebounds Per Game: 4.7 rebounds as a 6'5" guard
- Assists Per Game: 1.2 assists and 0.6 made three-pointers
These statistical metrics positioned King as a potential second-round prospect with "plenty of upside on both ends of the floor" according to NBA Draft scouting reports, though he was viewed primarily as a developmental piece requiring further refinement before NBA readiness.
2023-24 Indiana Mad Ants Season and Injury Challenges
King joined the Indiana Mad Ants after his draft selection, but injuries significantly impacted his G League trajectory during the 2023-24 campaign. His debut came late on January 13, 2024, against Maine, marking a delayed start to his professional American career.
- Debut Date: January 13, 2024, against Maine Red Claws (15 minutes played)
- Total Games: 15 games for Mad Ants during 2023-24 season
- Season Average: 3.9 points per game across all appearances
- Season Best: 19 points in 15 minutes on March 8 at Raptors 905
- Defensive Contribution: 2 blocks in his season-best performance
- Final Stretch: No more than 6 minutes in final 4 appearances, missed last 2 regular-season games
The injury battle King faced throughout the season limited his development timeline and playing time consistency, which explains why Indiana opted not to sign him to an NBA contract immediately after the draft.
New Zealand Breakers Contract and NBL25 Season
On August 4, 2024, the Indiana Pacers announced that King signed with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2024-25 NBL season, marking his second consecutive year outside the NBA system. This return to the NBL represents a strategic development choice rather than a setback.
King previously played for multiple NBL clubs from 2020-2022, including the Brisbane Capitals and Southland Sharks, where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 16 appearances during his final 2022 NBL season before joining Ignite. The Breakers announced a one-year contract for NBL25, and because he signed overseas, Indiana retains his NBA rights for another year under standard NBA collective bargaining agreement rules.
"Recently, the NBL announced that the Breakers will play preseason games against the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder. That means King will get two outings against NBA competition in early July. Then, the Pacers will be tracking him overseas for another year."
This preseason NBA exposure against Utah and Oklahoma City provides King with valuable evaluation opportunities while maintaining his competitive rhythm in the NBL, where he has played 73 games total in his NBL career through 2025.
Physical Profile and Scouting Assessment
King's physical attributes and background provide context for his developmental trajectory and NBA ceiling as a second-round selection.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 6'5" (196 cm) |
| Position | Guard/Wing |
| Birth Date | June 11, 2002 |
| Birth Place | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand-USA |
| Years Pro | 4 (as of 2024) |
| College | None (International path) |
Scouting reports highlighted King as trending toward second-round status with significant two-way upside, though the consensus viewed him as requiring additional development before NBA contribution. His international path through Australia's NBL rather than U.S. college basketball created a unique development profile that NBA teams are still evaluating.
Historical Context: Third New Zealand Player in NBA Draft
King's selection made him the third New Zealand-born player ever drafted into the NBA, joining Sean Marks (who became a championship-winning coach) and Steven Adams (a 10-year NBA veteran). This distinction highlights the growing pathway for Kiwi players to reach the highest level of basketball competition.
The international development path King took-playing in Australia's NBL from 2020-2022, then joining G League Ignite in fall 2022-represents an increasingly common alternative to the U.S. college system for elite international prospects. His 18.1 PPG average with Southland Sharks in 2022 demonstrated scoring capability that translated partially to the American game, though the adjustment period proved challenging.
As the 2023 story continues unfolding, King's trajectory remains one of patient development rather than immediate NBA impact, with his next critical evaluation point coming after the NBL25 season concludes and potentially during Breakers' preseason NBA matchups in July 2025.
Key concerns and solutions for Mojave King Nba Update The 2023 Story Still Unfolding
Did Mojave King play in the NBA in 2023?
No, Mojave King did not appear in any regular-season NBA games in 2023. He was drafted on June 22, 2023, but spent the 2023-24 season playing for the Indiana Mad Ants in the G League (15 games, 3.9 PPG) while dealing with injuries, and has not yet signed an NBA contract.
What team holds Mojave King's NBA rights in 2024?
As of August 2024, the Indiana Pacers hold Mojave King's NBA rights after acquiring them from the Lakers in a June 2023 trade. However, transaction records show his rights were later traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in June 2025, and then to the Houston Rockets in July 2025.
Why is Mojave King playing in New Zealand instead of the NBA?
King signed with the New Zealand Breakers for the 2024-25 NBL season as a developmental choice. Indiana opted not to sign him immediately after the draft, instead monitoring his progress overseas. The NBL provides competitive playing time against professional competition, including preseason games against NBA teams like the Jazz and Thunder.
What were Mojave King's stats in the 2022-23 G League season?
With the G League Ignite in 2022-23, King averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.6 made threes per game while shooting 41.3% from the floor across 30 games (8 starts, 25.1 minutes per game).
Is Mojave King still an NBA prospect in 2024?
Yes, King remains an NBA prospect under contract with Indiana's organization (now Houston after subsequent trades). At 21 years old with four years of professional experience, he is still in his developmental window, with the Pacers/Rockets tracking his NBL performance for potential future NBA signing.