The Indiana Pacers have spent the last few months tanking. For only the second time in the last 30 years, Indiana tried not to win games. After a season full of injuries, it is the best way for them to get back into title contention next season.
In order for Indiana to keep its pick, it must fall in the 4-9 range. They finished the regular season with the second-worst record in the NBA. That means that the pick won’t fall further than sixth. If it falls to five or six, the Los Angeles Clippers get the pick instead.
Rick Carlisle is hoping for lottery luck, but he says the Pacers have a contingency plan if that doesn’t happen.
The Pacers have a Backup Plan if Poor Lottery Luck Strikes
GettyIndiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle reacts during a game. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
After losing to the Pistons on Sunday, Carlisle addressed the Pacers’ chances in the lottery.
“That’s obvious, but we don’t control that. If it doesn’t happen, there’s a contingency plan to build the team up, too. So, we’re gonna view it as a win-win situation. We got Zubac here, who’s gonna be a terrific player for us. And if it turns out we don’t get one of the (top) four picks, then we fulfilled a pretty significant part of what we owe the Clippers. And we’ve gotten a center, and we’d probably have the ability to go get some other veterans.”
Bringing in Ivica Zubac was the top priority for the Pacers at the trade deadline. Center was the weakest spot on the roster after Myles Turner left for the Bucks. Carlisle also has a lot of faith in Kevin Pritchard to put together a great team next year if they can’t land a top pick.
“We’ll have to see, and that’s really a (question for team president Kevin Pritchard). But that’s my understanding of it. It’s a win-win thing, and that’s how we gotta look at it.”
Indiana Will Have to Sit and Wait
GettyIndiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle yells at the officials during a game. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Pacers will not know what their fate is in the lottery for another month. The NBA Draft lottery is scheduled for May 10. That means that Indiana will have to sit at home and wait until then to find out if they will be adding a superstar to the roster.
Once they find out where they will be drafting, they can make decisions about their future. Pritchard will be in charge of the contingency plan if the Pacers don’t keep their pick. It’s something he’s likely been working on since he executed the deadline trade for Zubac and Kobe Brown.
The most important piece that Indiana will have next year is Tyrese Haliburton coming back from his torn Achilles. He is a top-10 player in the league, and Indiana suffered without him. The Pacers had the third-worst offense in the league this season without him leading the charge.
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