Pritchard Apologizes as Pacers Lose Protected Pick in 2026 Lottery

Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard apologized to fans after the team's top-four protected first-round pick conveyed to the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10. The Pacers landed the No. 5 selection, forfeiting the pick they had traded for center Ivica Zubac. Pritchard took responsibility on X, writing he owned the risk and thought the team was due some luck after a poor season.

The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick and a 14% shot at No. 1 following a 19-63 record, one year after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The protection ensured they kept the pick only if selected in the top four; falling to fifth triggered the transfer to the Clippers for next month's draft.

Chicago's Navy Pier hosted the event. The Pacers played without All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, sidelined all season by an Achilles injury from the prior NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Key returnees include Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith.

The 2026 draft class features prospects such as BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson, North Carolina's Caleb Wilson and Duke's Cam Boozer. Fan reactions on X criticized the Zubac trade amid the perceived depth of the class and the team's struggles.