The Indiana Pacers entered the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery hoping to secure a franchise-changing young star. Instead, the night turned into one of the most painful moments in recent team history, as the Pacers lost their lottery pick to the Los Angeles Clippers because of the blockbuster Ivica Zubac trade completed earlier this season.
For Pacers fans, the result answered the burning question: what pick did the Pacers get? Technically, Indiana landed the No. 5 selection in the NBA lottery, but due to protections attached to the deal with the Clippers, the pick was transferred to Los Angeles.
The outcome immediately sparked debate around the future of the Pacers draft strategy, the value of Zubac, and whether Indiana gave up too much in pursuit of a playoff-ready roster.
Pacers Lottery Pick Heads to Clippers
The biggest headline from the Pacers lottery night was simple: the Pacers lottery pick now belongs to the Clippers.
Indiana originally traded its 2026 first-round selection in the deal that brought Ivica Zubac from the Clippers to the Pacers. The pick carried top-four protection, meaning Indiana would only keep it if the lottery landed them inside the first four selections. When the ping-pong balls dropped the Pacers to No. 5, the pick officially conveyed to Los Angeles.
The move instantly became one of the most discussed NBA stories of the week because many analysts viewed the 2026 draft class as one of the deepest in years, featuring elite prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson.
Why the Pacers Made the Zubac Trade
The Pacers were not simply rebuilding. After roster instability and injuries, Indiana wanted an established interior presence who could help maximize the timeline of star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
That led to the Zubac trade.
Indiana acquired Zubac and Kobe Brown from the Clippers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, future draft assets, and the conditional first-round pick that became the No. 5 selection.
At the time, the deal made basketball sense. Zubac had developed into one of the league’s most reliable two-way centers during his years with the Clippers. The veteran big man brought rim protection, rebounding, and playoff experience to Indiana’s frontcourt.
Still, critics questioned whether surrendering such a valuable Pacers draft pick was too aggressive for a team still trying to establish itself as a true contender.
TJ McConnell Represented Indiana at the Lottery
Veteran guard T. J. McConnell served as the Pacers representative during the NBA Draft Lottery. His appearance quickly became a talking point among fans and media.
Before the event, several reports explained why TJ McConnell was selected for lottery duty, with the organization believing his leadership and fan popularity made him the perfect representative for the franchise.
Unfortunately for Indiana, luck never arrived.
As the lottery results unfolded, cameras captured visible disappointment from Pacers executives and McConnell himself after the Clippers officially secured the selection.
Clippers Win Big After Pacers Draft Lottery Result
For the Clippers, the outcome completely changed the direction of their future.
The franchise now owns a top-five selection thanks to the Zubac trade, giving Los Angeles a chance to add a foundational young player while continuing to reshape its roster. The LA Clippers were already seeking long-term flexibility, and landing the No. 5 pick accelerated that process dramatically.
Many around the league believe the Clippers may have pulled off one of the smartest risk-reward trades of the season.
Meanwhile, Indiana must now move forward without a first-round lottery selection despite enduring a difficult campaign.
Pacers Draft Picks Outlook Moving Forward
Even though the Pacers lost their top selection, the organization still has pathways to improve its roster.
The Pacers draft plans may now focus on second-round development, future trades, and maximizing the value of players already on the roster. Indiana’s front office continues to believe that adding Zubac gives the team a stronger immediate foundation than another rookie prospect might have offered.
Still, fans continue debating whether the Pacers draft lottery gamble was worth it.
Questions surrounding Pacers draft picks, long-term flexibility, and roster construction will likely dominate the offseason conversation in Indiana.
Final Thoughts on the Pacers and the Zubac Trade
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery created two very different emotions for two franchises.
The Clippers celebrated landing a premium selection, while the Pacers were left wondering what could have been. Indiana believed Ivica Zubac could help elevate the roster into contention, but losing the No. 5 pick made the trade far more expensive than expected.
Now the spotlight shifts toward how the Pacers respond. If Zubac becomes a cornerstone piece alongside Haliburton, the gamble may eventually look justified. But if the Clippers turn the selection into a future superstar, the Pacers lottery decision could be remembered for years as one of the NBA’s defining draft-night turning points.
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