Pritchard on Pacers losing pick: 'Sorry to our fan...
Key takeaways
- But please remember - this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year.
- Pritchard and the Pacers had the league's second-worst record this season at 19-63 -- second only to the 18-64 Washington Wizards, who wound up winning the top pick.
- The Pacers needed to land in the top four to keep their pick after trading it with protections to the Clippers for Zubac.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck. But please remember - this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year. We have always been resilient."
Pritchard and the Pacers had the league's second-worst record this season at 19-63 -- second only to the 18-64 Washington Wizards, who wound up winning the top pick. Washington, Indiana and Brooklyn ended the season with equal chances to win the top pick (14%) or land in the lottery's top four (52%).
The Pacers needed to land in the top four to keep their pick after trading it with protections to the Clippers for Zubac. The trade sent two of Indiana's first-round picks to the Clippers, one in 2029 and then either this year's if it fell outside of the top four or a 2031 unprotected first-rounder if it did not.