Indiana Pacers fans felt the sting on Sunday as the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago delivered a tough blow. Landing at No. 5 meant their prized first-round pick slipped straight to the LA Clippers, courtesy of a mid-season swap for centre Ivica Zubac. The franchise had banked on lottery fortune to hold onto that selection, but it wasn’t to be.
President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard didn’t shy away from the fallout. He took to X with a candid apology, owning the gamble while standing firm on the trade’s merits. This outcome was always a possibility, yet its arrival has sparked debate about the Pacers’ direction.
Ahead, we unpack the lottery mechanics, the trade details, Pritchard’s response, the rationale behind the move, and Indiana’s next steps with Tyrese Haliburton eyeing a comeback.
Lottery Mechanics Seal Pacers’ Fate
Indiana wrapped the 2025-26 campaign with a dismal 19-63 mark, second-worst in the league. Only the Washington Wizards fared worse at 17-65. The NBA’s reformed lottery system gave the bottom three teams equal shots:
- 14% odds for the top spot
- 52% chance of cracking the top four
To retain their pick, the Pacers required a top-four finish. Washington surged to No. 1, reshuffling the deck and dropping Indiana to fifth. That protection clause in the Zubac deal—top four only—triggered the automatic transfer to Los Angeles.
Pritchard Faces Fans Head-On
The lottery results barely settled when Pritchard posted his message on X, speaking directly to supporters.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans. I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck. But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year. We have always been resilient.”
This mix of accountability and justification highlights Pritchard’s approach. He claims the downside without retreat, positioning the acquisition as essential for contention rather than a draft-capital blunder.
Full Breakdown of the Zubac Exchange
The February transaction went beyond the 2026 pick. Here’s what the Clippers gained:
- 2026 first-rounder (top-four protected; conveyed at No. 5)
- 2029 first-round pick
- 2031 unprotected first-rounder (backup if 2026 stayed top four)
Los Angeles secured two Indiana firsts regardless of the draw. The lottery shuffle decided the nearer one went their way sooner.
Motivations Behind Indiana’s Bold Move
Addressing the Pivot Need
Myles Turner‘s departure to the Milwaukee Bucks in July 2025 left a glaring gap at centre. The Pacers struggled to fill it all season, prompting a push for proven help.
Zubac’s Favourable Deal
The Croatian big man’s pact offers stability:
- $20.3 million for 2026-27
- $21.7 million for 2027-28
Post-2028, he’s a free agent. Such rates suit a competitive squad, delivering output without crippling the cap.
Shifting from Rebuild to Compete
Pritchard’s words underscore the pivot: building a roster to challenge elites in 2026-27, not chasing more tanking rewards. With Haliburton sidelined, the focus stayed on immediate upgrades.
Weighing the Trade-Offs for Indiana
Critics point to the harsh reality—no top pick despite the poor record, no budget-friendly rookie, and thinned future assets. Small-market teams like the Pacers lean on drafts for stars, and this depletes that well substantially.
Statistically, a 52% shot at keeping the pick made it a worthwhile wager. Bad luck flipped the script, denying the cheap talent injection a losing year typically yields. Still, Zubac arrives as the intended prize: reliable minutes at centre for two campaigns.
Haliburton’s Return Shapes the Path Ahead
The Pacers’ fortunes hinge on Tyrese Haliburton, absent all season after an Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. That setback tanked their output, landing the poor record.
Pairing a fit Haliburton with Zubac creates a solid foundation—playmaking guard and rim protector. Gaps in shooting and bench strength persist, but the core setup aligns with contention goals. The trade’s success rests on this duo delivering.
Ultimately, Pritchard views the lottery hit as the toll for ambition. Indiana enters 2026-27 with centre depth, a rehabbing star, and lessons from a calculated risk. Court results, not lottery ping-pong balls, will judge if it pays off.