After a miserable season in Indiana, Pacers fans had hoped to get some reprieve in the 2026 NBA Draft, as their team finished with the second-worst record and would surely be picking high. The basketball gods had other ideas on Sunday when the league hosted the NBA draft lottery and the Pacers saw their name called for the No.

Pritchard believed the team couldn’t survive another season without a legitimate starting center. So Indiana went all in. The Pacers sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and — most importantly — their 2026 first-round pick with top-four protection attached.

The events will focus on education, economic mobility, inclusion, health and wellness, and volunteerism. Official release • NBA All-Star 2026: Complete coverage • NBA Cares All-Star events NBA All‑Star 2026, in collaboration with the LA Clippers ...