The Indiana Pacers may have lost their 2026 first-round pick, but there is no reason for the fans to panic.
The Indiana Pacers are gearing up for the upcoming 2026 NBA offseason. Unfortunately, there seems to be a gray cloud hovering over the team right now.
Of course, that cloud comes from the NBA Draft Lottery last week.
Entering the lottery, the Pacers held the No. 2 pick and were tied for the best odds to win the No. 1 overall pick. When all was said and done, Indiana exited the draft lottery without a single selection in the 2026 draft.
Kevin Pritchard and the Pacers' front office included their 2026 first-round pick in the blockbuster trade to acquire Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. They protected the pick in the top four, but it slid to No. 5 overall and conveyed to L.A.
Immediately after the draft lottery, panic and frustration began to boil over in Indiana. That pick could have changed everything about the future for the Pacers, while also would have help contribute towards winning a championship now.
Fans had become excited about the idea of seeing A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, or Caleb Wilson playing in Indiana. We won't get to see that entertainment.
Despite the bad luck of the lottery, the Pacers have exactly zero reasons to panic.
Looking at the starting lineup, they will have one of the best first fives in the NBA. A healthy Tyrese Haliburton will be back in the lineup, along with Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Zubac.
That starting five is more than capable of winning a championship.
Off of the bench, Indiana will have Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and either Jay Huff or Micah Potter. There is also a good chance that Pritchard will target an upgrade off of the bench via free agency or a trade.
On paper, the Pacers are still one of the best teams in the NBA. With an offseason move or two, they could be in even better position.
Granted, adding at top-four pick would have been extremely helpful. But, at the end of the day, championships are not won now in the NBA Draft. That player would have helped a lot down the road, but Indiana is still a top-tier contender.
It's understandable for fans to be frustrated that the ping pong balls didn't bounce the Pacers' way. However, there are a lot of reasons to be excited about the 2026-27 season.
With that being said, there is no reason for doom and gloom in Indiana. The Pacers are going to be just fine.