According to Tankathon.com, the Indiana Pacers have the sixth-toughest schedule remaining this season. And given that losses are better than wins for them at this point in the season because of this year's NBA draft, this is great news for them and gives them an interesting advantage.
Of the five teams ahead of them (the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Memphis Grizzlies), only Washington is a real "threat" to the Pacers' chances of landing a top pick in this year's draft. However, even they are 1.5 games ahead of Indiana in the standings and should only get better if Trae Young continues to play this season.
As it stands, it is borderline impossible for the Pacers to make a postseason push this year. They are 15.5 games behind the No. 10 seed Charlotte Hornets, and there is no reason to think they will be able to pull off a miracle this time around.
However, Indiana has a great opportunity to add a potential game-changing prospect to its roster through this year's draft. And the team's difficult schedule moving forward should only help.
The Pacers might have a unique opportunity in the draft
It's not often that a team with championship aspirations can add a top draft pick the season before their push, but that's where the Pacers are right now.
Though it has looked bleak in Indiana this season, better days are certainly ahead. Tyrese Haliburton will make his return from his Achilles injury. Ivica Zubac should greatly elevate the team in every area. And the rest of the team should be even better than they were during their NBA Finals run in 2025. Additionally, they will have a good chance to make some noise in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, the Pacers should have an incredible team next season and have a chance to finish what they started in 2025. But if all goes right, they may be able to build a real juggernaut in this year's draft.
If Indiana keeps its pick (which it will if it falls between 1-4 and 10-30. The Los Angeles Clippers will get it if it falls between 5-9 as part of the Zubac-Bennedict Mathurin trade), the team will be able to add someone who can be an immediate contributor and help them compete for the long haul.
Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa are all worthy of getting drafted first overall, and adding any of them to the Pacers' roster would greatly impact their long-term outlook.
They will need a bit of luck to go their way, but the Pacers have a possibility to come back next season and truly send a big reminder to the rest of the NBA just how dangerous they really are.