Pacers President Apologizes After Draft Lottery Gamble Backfires

Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard apologized to fans after a risky trade backfired in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.

The Pacers, who went 19-63 after reaching the NBA Finals, had a 52.1% chance of a top-four pick. However, their selection fell to fifth, and because the pick was only top-four protected in a trade for center Ivica Zubac with the Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana loses the pick entirely.

"I'm really sorry to all our fans," Pritchard wrote on X. "I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck."

The team was without All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton all season after an Achilles injury in the Finals. Key players Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith are expected to return.

This year's draft class is considered deep, featuring top prospects AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Caleb Wilson (UNC), and Cam Boozer (Duke).