Inside the NBA Draft Lottery, where the Pacers’ big gamble came up agonizingly short
The Pacers had slightly better than 50/50 odds to get their center of the future and their own lottery pick, but that’s not how things worked out.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: T. J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10, 2026 at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois.
NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images CHICAGO – Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard could hardly sleep the night before the NBA Draft lottery. Who could, in his situation?
In a daring trade to acquire Ivica Zubac back in February, the Pacers sent, among other things, their 2026 first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers. It was protected 1-4 and 10-30, meaning the Clippers could only receive the selection if it landed 5-9. On Sunday, a machine full of ping pong balls would decide which team would be blessed by fate.
52. 1% of the time, the answer would be the Pacers. The other 47.
Continue to the original source for the full article.