After Pacers Draft Pick Trade, Poor Finish To Season Maximizes Odds

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 13: Bennedict Mathurin #00 and Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers block out Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the preseason game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) Getty Images MILWAUKEE – The Indiana Pacers were 13-38 when the NBA trade deadline arrived in February, which was the worst record in the Eastern Conference at the time. They owned their 2026 first-round draft pick thanks to a smart trade last summer, meaning their poor record was trending toward a top selection in a strong 2026 draft.

Then, the Pacers made a bold trade. To acquire defensive anchor Ivica Zubac, Indiana agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers . Zubac and Kobe Brown went to the Pacers.

Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a second-round draft pick, and two first-round picks went to the Clippers. One of the two first-round draft picks is the Pacers 2029 selection, and the second rounder is the Dallas Mavericks 2028 pick that the Pacers had previously acquired. Those are straightforward.

But the other first rounder included in the deal is what made the trade bold – it’s the Pacers 2026 first-round draft pick. But it wasn’t sent outright. Instead, it was traded with protections.