The Los Angeles Clippers entered the 2025-26 season with a dual focus: staying competitive while planning for the future. Kawhi Leonard performed at an All-Star level, Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin provided younger scoring, and the team posted a 42-40 record, enough to reach the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. Now, a favorable lottery outcome could hand the franchise its most valuable draft asset in over 15 years.
On Sunday, NBA insider Evan Sidery reported that the Indiana Pacers have a 52.1% chance of retaining their 2026 lottery pick. If Indiana’s selection falls outside the top four, it will transfer to the Clippers. Should the Pacers keep the pick by landing in the top four, Los Angeles will instead receive Indiana’s unprotected first-round picks in 2029 and 2031. This scenario has made the Pacers one of the most closely watched teams in the lottery despite finishing with only 19 wins.
Indiana tied the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets for the best odds (14%) at the No. 1 overall pick, while Utah and Sacramento each have 11.5% odds. The flattened lottery system means the Pacers still have a strong chance of jumping into the top four and keeping the selection, but there is also a significant possibility the pick lands at No. 5 or lower and immediately conveys to Los Angeles.
For the Clippers, the stakes are unusually high because the franchise has rarely controlled premium draft capital during the Leonard era. The team has routinely traded future first-round picks to build veteran-heavy playoff rosters. Even after finishing ninth in the Western Conference, Los Angeles still owes Oklahoma City a first-round pick swap tied to the original Paul George trade. That is why Indiana’s lottery outcome matters so much.
If the selection conveys, it would become the Clippers’ highest draft pick since they selected Blake Griffin first overall in 2009—a detail that explains why league executives are closely monitoring Sunday’s results. The timing also aligns with what many scouts believe is one of the stronger draft classes in recent years.
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa is widely projected as the favorite to become the No. 1 pick, while Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke forward Cameron Boozer are viewed as franchise-level prospects near the top of the board. The next tier includes North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, Houston guard Kingston Flemings, Kentucky big man Jayden Quaintance, Illinois prospect Keaton Wagler, and Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.. League evaluators have also pointed to the depth of the class, especially at guard and wing, which could make even the middle of the lottery highly valuable.
That depth matters for a Clippers roster carrying significant age and durability concerns. Leonard averaged 27.9 points across 65 games and remained one of the NBA’s most efficient high-volume scorers, but he turns 35 next season. Brook Lopez and Nicolas Batum are both 37, while Bradley Beal appeared in only six games after joining the roster. A controllable lottery-level rookie contract would give Los Angeles something the organization has lacked for years: long-term flexibility around an expensive veteran core.
If Indiana jumps into the top four Sunday night, the Clippers will need to wait for future assets down the line. If the pick falls outside that range, Los Angeles could suddenly enter the draft with a chance to reshape its future much earlier than expected.
