The Washington Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, securing the No 1 overall pick. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers finished with the second-worst record in the NBA but lost their first-round pick due to a trade involving center Ivica Zubac.
The Pacers' poor record, 19-63, did not land them inside the protected range needed to keep their first-round pick. As a result, the No 5 overall selection automatically transferred to the Los Angeles Clippers because of a previous trade agreement.
The trade complication stems from the February deal that brought Zubac to Indiana. The Pacers had placed protections on the pick, allowing them to retain it only if it landed between Nos 1-4 or Nos 10-30. Since the selection fell at No 5, it conveyed directly to the Clippers.
Had Indiana retained the pick, the franchise would have owed Los Angeles a 2031 first-rounder. By losing the No 5 selection, the Pacers now keep that future draft asset.
The Pacers also lost a second-round pick, No 32 overall, which belongs to the Memphis Grizzlies following an earlier trade.
Indiana's front office made the deal after prioritizing a long-term starting center following Myles Turner's departure in free agency to the Milwaukee Bucks last offseason.
Zubac averaged 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in limited minutes during his brief stretch with Indiana. Across the full 2025-26 season with both franchises, he averaged 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Despite losing their draft picks, the Pacers will return most of the group that helped the franchise reach the 2025 NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton is expected back after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, while Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Pascal Siakam also remain under contract.
