If the Indiana Pacers' pick falls between the 5-9 range in the draft lottery this year, it will go to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. Given how stacked this draft is expected to be, it's fair for Pacers fans to feel as if the team took an unnecessary risk here. But realistically, the top-four players in this draft are really all that matter to Indiana, and this trade doesn't take that away.
There is a ton of talent in this year's draft, but most of it has to do with the top four. Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and even Caleb Wilson, to a slightly lesser extent, are all worthy of getting drafted first overall this year. And if they were each in separate classes, they all probably would.
All four of them have the potential to be real game-changers and franchise guys at the NBA level. And for a Pacers team looking to re-establish itself as a title contender as soon as next season, they would be lucky to secure any of them.
However, past the first four prospects, while there is still a lot of talent there, it is a big drop-off. And if Indiana's pick falls in this range and ultimately goes to the Clippers, it's not going to make that big of a difference anyway. Hypothetically, someone like Kingston Flemings wouldn't be as much of a game-changer for Indiana right away, and the team likely knows that already.
It's fair to say the Pacers gave up a lot in the trade. But even if they kept their pick and it fell in the 5-9 range, it wouldn't have made much of an immediate difference because of how talented their roster already is. And if that was the price for them to get their next center of the future, then so be it.
The Pacers are going to be fine regardless of what happens in the draft
Securing a top-four pick in this year's draft would just be the cherry on top for Indiana, not an absolute necessity.
The Pacers' roster next season is good enough to compete for a championship as it is. Tyrese Haliburton will be back (and potentially as good as before). Zubac will greatly boost the team in every area. And guys like Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith will continue to make a nightly impact.
Plus, being in an Eastern Conference that mostly seems to be wide-open is a big bonus for Indiana.
Sure, if they can land someone like Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, or Wilson, they will be in a much better spot. But even if they don't, they still have a fantastic roster anyway.
At the end of the day, finding a new starting center was probably the Pacers' biggest priority for this season. And while they gave up a lot to make it happen, it's truly not as bad as many think it is.