Clippers Target Pacers’ Top‑Four Pick in 2026 Draft
Why it matters: The Clippers stand to secure a franchise‑changing prospect if the Pacers’ pick lands 5‑9, while the Pacers stand to boost their championship ceiling with a top‑four slot; the Thunder’s ownership of the No.12 pick creates a trade lever.
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- 2026 NBA draft lottery will be drawn on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and aired on ABC/ESPN.
- NBA sources say nine teams—about one‑third of the league—have been tanking to boost their lottery odds.
- Pacers sent center Ivica Zubac to the Los Angeles Clippers in February, with the Clippers receiving the Pacers’ 2026 first‑round pick if it lands between picks 5 and 9.
- Clippers own the No. 12 2026 pick, which has a 7 % chance of moving into the top four and a 1.5 % chance of becoming No. 1, but the pick is currently held by the Oklahoma City Thunder under the Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander trade.
- Pacers have not held a top‑four lottery pick since 1989, making this the first opportunity in 40 years to land such a high selection.
