NBA Trade Rumors: Indiana Pacers Face Massive Draft Decision - Keep the No. 1 Pick or Trade It for a Star After Haliburton Achilles Injury?

The Indiana Pacers are staring at one of the most fascinating crossroads in the NBA right now, and it all comes down to one ping-pong ball. After a magical run to the NBA Finals just a year ago, Indiana’s season has turned into a harsh reality check. Injuries, inconsistency, and most notably Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating Achilles tear have completely flipped the script on what was supposed to be a continuation of the franchise’s rise in the Eastern Conference.

Instead, the Pacers now sit with the worst record in the league, putting them in a prime position to land the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. But there’s a catch — a massive one. Indiana must secure a top-four selection or risk losing its pick altogether due to the previously agreed-upon Ivica Zubac trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

What should the Pacers actually do with that pick if they land it? Do they embrace a blended timeline, pairing a potential future superstar with Haliburton and a core that has already proven it can contend? Or do they take a more aggressive route, flipping the pick for a proven All-Star level talent who could help accelerate their path back to championship relevance?

We asked our Sports Illustrated roundtable panel whether the Pacers should keep the pick and build for sustained success, or trade it in hopes of fast-tracking another Finals push.

The Current Situation

The 2025-26 season has been a painful reset for Indiana. Haliburton’s Achilles injury has robbed the team of its engine and playmaking wizardry, exposing depth issues and forcing the Pacers into a lottery battle they never expected. With the worst record in the league, they have the best odds at the No. 1 pick — widely expected to be a generational talent like AJ Dybantsa or another top prospect in what many call one of the deepest draft classes in years.

However, the Zubac trade protection means they must land inside the top four or forfeit the pick to the Clippers. This adds enormous pressure: tank too obviously and risk the pick; win too many games and lose the lottery advantage.

Two Clear Paths Forward

Option 1: Keep the Pick and Build for the Long Term This approach embraces a blended timeline. Draft the best available prospect and pair him with a healthy Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the existing young core. It avoids mortgaging the future for immediate contention and allows organic growth. The risk is that the window with Haliburton (who will be coming off major surgery) might close before the new rookie reaches his prime.

Option 2: Trade the Pick for a Proven All-Star This is the aggressive, win-now route. Flip the high-value first-round pick (plus additional assets) for an established star who can immediately complement Haliburton and push the Pacers back into true contention. The reward is a faster return to the Finals; the risk is depleting future assets and potentially overpaying in a thin free-agent market.

Suggested Names the Pacers Could Target in a Trade

If Indiana decides to trade the pick, here are a few realistic All-Star-level targets that could make sense:

Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans): A smooth-scoring wing who can create his own shot and play off Haliburton. His contract is manageable, and New Orleans might be open to a reset.
Mikal Bridges (New York Knicks): Elite two-way wing with championship pedigree. His defense and spacing would fit perfectly next to Haliburton and Siakam.
Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz): A stretch big who provides spacing and scoring. Utah is in full rebuild mode and could be enticed by multiple first-round picks.
DeMar DeRozan (Sacramento Kings): Veteran scorer who can still create in the mid-range. A short-term bridge to championship contention while the young core develops.

Each of these players would immediately raise the Pacers’ ceiling, but would require giving up significant future draft capital.

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