The Indiana Pacers faced a harsh twist at the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, slipping to the No. 5 spot and sending their prized first-round selection straight to the LA Clippers. This outcome stemmed directly from a February trade that landed centre Ivica Zubac in Indianapolis, complete with top-four protection on the pick. Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard soon took to X with a candid apology, owning the gamble while standing firm on its merits, especially with Tyrese Haliburton set to return next season.
Lottery Mechanics Seal Pacers’ Fate
Indiana wrapped the regular season with a dismal 19-63 mark, second-worst in the league behind only the Washington Wizards’ 17-65 finish. The NBA’s lottery system gave both teams, along with the Brooklyn Nets, identical odds: 14% for the top pick and 52% for a top-four landing. The Pacers required a top-four position to retain their 2026 selection, but Washington’s surge to No. 1 reshuffled the deck, dropping Indiana to fifth and triggering the automatic transfer to Los Angeles.
Pritchard Faces Fans Head-On
In the lottery’s aftermath, Pritchard posted a direct message on X to Pacers supporters. He expressed deep regret for the result, admitting surprise at the fifth-place fall given the season’s struggles and noting the team’s overdue luck. Yet he underscored the necessity of acquiring a true starting centre to challenge elite squads in the coming year, highlighting Indiana’s track record of grit. This blend of accountability and justification marked a rare public stance from an executive amid fallout.
Full Breakdown of the Zubac Exchange
The trade package heading to the Clippers extended beyond the 2026 pick. To secure Zubac, Indiana surrendered multiple future assets, structured as follows:
| Asset | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026 First-Round Pick | Top-four protected (conveyed at No. 5) |
| 2029 First-Round Pick | Unprotected |
| 2031 First-Round Pick | Unprotected alternative if 2026 stayed top four |
Regardless of lottery results, Los Angeles secured two Indiana firsts, with the 2026 slot now filled instead of the later 2031 option thanks to the final standings.
Strategic Drivers Behind the Move
Addressing the Centre Void
The departure of Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2025 free agency left a glaring gap at centre that plagued Indiana all season. Without a reliable starter, the roster struggled, pushing the front office toward Zubac as the ideal fix on the trade market.
Contract Value and Timeline Fit
Zubac’s deal offers team-friendly terms through 2027-28: $20.3 million next year and $21.7 million the following, after which he hits free agency. For a productive big man, this pricing suits a contender’s cap sheet perfectly. Pritchard’s comments framed the acquisition as essential for immediate competitiveness around a healthy core, not prolonged tanking.
Weighing the Trade-Offs for Indiana
Critics point to the steep price: a lost lottery shot after 19-63 yielded no cost-controlled rookie talent, further eroding the Pacers’ draft cupboard. Small-market teams lean heavily on such picks for star power, and this deal burned through key capital in one go. The 52% odds favoured retention, making the miss sting sharper—typically, such a record births a franchise cornerstone, but Indiana netted a contracted veteran instead.
Still, Zubac fills a need with two years left at reasonable cost, bolstering both offence and defence if the roster gels around him.
Haliburton’s Return Shapes Next Steps
Central to Indiana’s rebound is Tyrese Haliburton, sidelined all 2025-26 after an Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. His absence tanked the team’s ceiling, inflating losses. A full recovery pairs elite playmaking with Zubac’s rim presence and rebounding, forming a potent foundation. Depth and shooting remain priorities, but the trade’s logic hinges on this duo elevating the Pacers into playoff contention come 2026-27.
Pritchard positioned the lottery pain as the toll for chasing wins now over future picks. Success will prove the wisdom on the hardwood, leaving Indiana with a solidified centre, rehabbing star, and transparent leadership amid the uncertainty.