Chicago –

Kevin Pritchard, the Director of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers, barely slept the night before the NBA Draft Lottery. Who could blame him? The Pacers made a bold move earlier this year, trading for Ivica Zubac and sending a 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers. That particular pick was slightly protected, meaning the Clippers could only claim it if they landed within a specific range. On Sunday, a machine full of ping pong balls would determine which team struck lottery gold. Statistically, the odds favored the Pacers at 52.1%, leaving LA with 47.9% of the chance.

In essence, it felt like a coin toss—but perhaps that’s too simple. It was more like a game of Russian roulette, just with fewer bullets involved. With a few random chances, they could find out their fate.

On the surface, one could argue that the trade seemed like a win for the Pacers. They landed a center who almost made the All-NBA team and gave up two first-round picks with low lottery prospects along with a couple of players whose futures weren’t looking too bright. But if it went south, they’d face some serious consequences. If they ended up adding a top prospect to the mix, and considering Zubac’s injury issues, the trade could look a lot worse in hindsight. The truth is, the Pacers finished with one of the worst records in the league and still didn’t come away with a lottery win. The 2026 pick was the most significant asset given up in the trade, and its future was uncertain.

“Honestly, I didn’t catch much sleep last night,” Pritchard admitted. “Chad and I managed to sneak away for a walk, trying to game plan for whatever might happen—good or bad.”

As the lottery results rolled in, Pritchard’s heart raced as if it were Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He wouldn’t have made a great poker player that day; his anxiety was palpable even from 30 feet away. When the Pacers’ trio—who were there to witness their destiny unfold—sat down to watch, only one of them managed to maintain composure as the Clippers’ logo lit up the room crowded with eager fans and millions more watching on TV.

The draft lottery results were announced at Navy Pier in Chicago, where the atmosphere was electric. The main hall had been transformed, with a section set aside for a stage and viewing area. The Pacers were positioned between the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets.

During this high-stakes event, Pritchard and Buchanan were the only representatives from the Pacers’ table, reflecting their long partnership dating back to their days with the Portland Trail Blazers. The team’s Vice President of Basketball Operations, Ted Wu, was present at the drawing site.

As it turned out, Buchanan and Pritchard were the only two present for the Pacers. Guard T.J. McConnell, the lottery representative, was also there, dressed in a striking yellow shirt and black pants. He’s the longest-tenured Pacer and had experienced his share of lottery drama before.

About half an hour before the main event, optimism was in the air. Pritchard and Buchanan mingled with league officials, exchanging pleasantries. Initially, smiles were plentiful, and they hoped luck might be on their side. As time ticked by, though, the reality of the situation weighed heavily.

“Obviously, it’s not good news,” McConnell remarked shortly thereafter.

With little else to do but wait, the two executives sat in silence, grappling with their fate. For what felt like an eternity, they were at the mercy of chance, unable to steer events in their favor. Their shared silence was palpable.

Pritchard exhibited the most emotion, chewing gum nervously while fidgeting. He took his shoes off, put them back on, and then off again within minutes. Meanwhile, Buchanan maintained a stoic facade, adjusting his collar but otherwise remaining still—an exact reflection of their contrasting styles.

Buchanan broke his trance by checking his phone just a minute before the announcement, a move mirrored by Pritchard, who soon began looking anxiously around the room. The two were obviously seeking distractions.

“I know social media is probably going to react harshly. I really do,” Pritchard wryly noted, a fitting comment for someone often glued to his phone. “Sorry to those folks out there.”

McConnell’s return provided a momentary distraction. He greeted others around him before focusing on the Pacers executives, and the tension returned once more.

As the broadcast kicked off, ESPN’s Marika Andrews began interviewing top draft prospects. Pritchard’s presence was unmistakable during the spectacle. After an anxious wait, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum stepped onto the stage, ready to drop the results.

Buchanan leaned forward, elbows on the table, as Tatum pulled out the first card to reveal the No. 14 pick. The Pacers were on edge, going from feeling relatively secure about a used slot to hovering on pins and needles as the process progressed.

It wasn’t until the Chicago Bulls, who had been ranked ninth in odds, found themselves in the top four that the anxiety increased. The Cowboys’ announcement at No. 9 pushed the Bulls into the spotlight, and Pritchard found himself contemplating its implications.

With the Grizzlies also making a surprise leap into the top four, the duo’s tension only mounted as the announcement of the sixth pick approached.

When Tatum announced the Brooklyn Nets, the executives displayed little reaction. McConnell scanned the audience, but the real weight rested with the upcoming picks.

Thirteen seconds felt like an eternity as Tatum moved toward the fifth pick. For Pritchard and Buchanan, each moment dragged. When the former finally said “LA Clippers,” Pritchard needed a second to regain his composure in disbelief.

The gamble had failed—the Clippers were getting the best pick they had anticipated. Buchanan finally shifted in his seat, still largely non-responsive, while McConnell remained lost in thought.

After a break that did little to ease the disappointment, all three executives sat in shock, fully aware of the odds.

McConnell’s gaze reflected his inner turmoil; moments earlier he felt his heart racing. Now, with the reality of the Clippers walking away with the pick, he found it hard to face the others.

“I know it sounds strange, but I felt like I let him down,” McConnell shared. “It’s illogical, I know, but it feels that way.”

As the Wizards were announced winners of the lottery, the atmosphere shifted. While visible engagement resumed around the room, Pritchard and Buchanan remained close to their table, contemplating their next moves.

In essence, a 47.9% chance of losing came to fruition, despite the sense of optimism leading up to the event. The draft lottery has a way of playing tricks on hope and belief.

Pritchard could hardly mask his frustrations after the event. His jitters spoke volumes about how the day had unfolded.

“We’re all disappointed,” he said, encapsulating the mood. “It’s really a shame; it was a strong draft,” he continued, expressing high hopes for Zubac while also reiterating those sentiments almost repetitively.

Pritchard emphasized Zubac’s intelligence, team spirit, and competitive edge, yet couldn’t fight the sting of disappointment. “We wanted a pick. But hey, our core players are still intact. It’s tough. Just wait until next season; they’ve shown they can compete.”

Despite the letdown, the sentiment of building towards the future remained. The Pacers had previously reached the NBA Finals in 2025 and had hoped to bolster their lineup again with Zubac.

Pritchard’s anxiety before the lottery echoed the emotions of past Pacers players before high-stakes games. He reflected on his owner, Herb Simon, wishing for him just what everyone else hoped for, a win.

“Honestly, my heart aches for Mr. Simon. He’s a good man and wants to give this to Indiana,” Pritchard said, almost regretting the outcome.

Both he and McConnell understood just how vital that lottery could be. But instead, the Clippers would walk away with No. 5, an unexpected twist that weighed heavily on everyone involved. It was no surprise that Pritchard didn’t sleep well the night before; the trade was a gamble, and it didn’t pay off this time. In the long term? Well, if Zubac flourishes, perhaps Pritchard’s future sleepless nights will stem from success rather than anxiety. Only time will truly reveal how this storyline unfolds.