The Indiana Pacers came into Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery with a 53.1 percent chance of landing a top four pick and a 47.9 percent chance of their pick landing outside of the top four in the fifth or sixth spot. If it landed in the top four, they would retain the pick, but if it fell to fifth or sixth, it would convey to the LA Clippers.
Indiana sent fan favorite guard TJ McConnell to bring them luck, but it wasn't enough.
The Pacers' pick landed at fifth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, meaning it will convey to the LA Clippers.
The Pacers 2026 first round pick has fallen to 5th and will convey to the LA Clippers.
LA will have the 5th pick in the NBA Draft.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) May 10, 2026
The Clippers received the pick from the Pacers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade back in February 2026. Indiana traded away Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and two first round picks in the deal.
The Clippers were guaranteed to receive the Pacers' 2029 first round pick, but would also have received the Pacers' 2031 first round pick.
Article Continues Below
The Indiana Pacers pushed to acquire Ivica Zubac for months ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, but the Clippers remained steadfast in wanting multiple first round picks for their franchise center.looser protections for the 2026 first round pick if they were to trade their franchise center.
In the end, the Pacers relented and dropped their protections to top four for the 2026 pick, which would still convey to 2031 if it landed in the top four.
By season’s end, the Pacers finished with the second worst record in the NBA at 19-63, meaning the Pacers could've fallen to fifth or sixth at the absolute worst. It fell to fith today and will now go to the Clippers.
The Washington Wizards ended up winning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, setting themselves up to draft whoever they want in an absolutely loaded draft.
The Indiana Pacers came into Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery with a 53. 1 percent chance of landing a top four pick and a 47. 9 percent chance of their pick landing outside of the top four in the fifth or sixth spot. If it landed in the top four, they would retain the pick, but if it fell to fifth or sixth, it would convey to the LA Clippers.