The Indiana Pacers are reportedly looking to trade back into the 2026 NBA Draft next week.
Kevin Pritchard and the Indiana Pacers have been very vocal about wanting to be aggressive this offseason. With the 2026 NBA Draft just a week away, rumors are starting to pick up.
After losing their first-round pick as part of the Ivica Zubac trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Pacers currently do not have any draft picks. That could change, as the team seems to be looking for a way to trade back into the draft.
According to a report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, Indiana is trying to acquire a pick somewhere in the early 30's.
"The Pacers are looking to trade for a pick somewhere in the 30s early in the second round, according to league sources," Fischer wrote. "Indiana's top selection, of course, had to be conveyed to the LA Clippers as a condition of the Ivica Zubac trade after it fell to No. 5 in the lottery."
On the outside looking in, there are a few intriguing players the Pacers could be targeting in the early 30's.
Purdue star point guard Braden Smith could be one option for Indiana. The team has had him in for a pre-draft workout and he would add solid depth. Smith averaged 14.3 points, 8.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game last season, while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from three-point range.
Another option for Indiana could be Houston guard Emanuel Sharp. During the 2025-26 season with the Cougars, Sharp averaged 15.5 points, three rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals and shot 41.3 percent overall while knocking down 37.2 percent of his three-point attempts.
Ryan Conwell from Louisville could be another intriguing option for the Pacers. He shot 40.8 percent overall and 34.5 percent from distance last season, while averaging 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Regardless of who Indiana is targeting while trying to trade back into the early 30's, it gives fans reason to be excited. Perhaps Pritchard and company will be making a pick after all.
Expect to continue hearing rumors about the Pacers as the offseason heats up. They aren't far away from a championship and are expected to have an aggressive mindset.
