Pacers lose top draft pick to Clippers after 19-63 season

The Pacers will pick 5th in the NBA Draft, not in the top 4. This means the pick goes to the Clippers because of a past trade.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Indiana’s gamble for a franchise-altering draft pick dissolved as the NBA Draft Lottery landed the team with the fifth selection, forfeiting the asset to the Los Angeles Clippers. This outcome, following a season of calculated moves to secure a high draft position, has led to public contrition from Pacers President Kevin Pritchard.

The Pacers, saddled with a franchise-worst 19-63 record, entered the lottery with significant expectations, having held favorable odds to retain their first-round pick. The stipulations of a prior trade, which sent Ivica Zubac to Indiana, dictated that the pick would only remain with the Pacers if it fell within the top four selections.

"Sorry to our fans," Pritchard communicated via his X account, reflecting the franchise's deep disappointment. "I thought we were due some luck."

The team’s strategic pivot at the February trade deadline, acquiring Zubac, was predicated on the prospect of pairing him with a high-caliber rookie. This maneuver, coupled with what has been described as a deliberate strategy to "tank" for better lottery positioning, hinged on a 52.1 percent chance of securing a top-four pick. Instead, the Pacers drew the fifth spot, a result that pushed the selection to the Clippers.

This loss represents a significant setback for a team that already navigated the season without key personnel. Reports indicate that the absence of Tyrese Haliburton was keenly felt, with Pascal Siakam’s contributions proving insufficient to elevate the team’s standing without further foundational talent.

Read More: Knicks Beat 76ers 144-114, Reach Eastern Conference Finals

The situation leaves the Pacers in a state of similar positioning to the previous year, having effectively “punted” their season with the hope of acquiring a transformative player. The crucial "cliff" at the fifth selection meant that all their efforts to improve draft positioning ultimately proved insufficient to keep the coveted pick. This development also comes after trading away a second-round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies at an earlier juncture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Indiana Pacers lose their NBA draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers?
The Pacers had a 19-63 record and needed a top-four pick to keep it due to a trade with the Clippers. They got the fifth pick, so it goes to Los Angeles.
Q: What was the Indiana Pacers' record this season?
The Pacers had a franchise-worst record of 19 wins and 63 losses this season.
Q: What did Pacers President Kevin Pritchard say about losing the draft pick?
Kevin Pritchard apologized to the fans on X, saying he thought the team was due for some luck but was disappointed with the outcome.
Q: What was the Pacers' strategy for getting a high draft pick?
The Pacers traded for Ivica Zubac and seemed to intentionally try to lose games ('tank') to get a better draft position, hoping for a top-four pick.
Q: Who was missing from the Pacers' lineup that might have affected their season?
Key players like Tyrese Haliburton were absent, and Pascal Siakam's play was not enough to improve the team's standing without more foundational talent.