The Indiana Pacers walked into the NBA Draft Lottery with high hopes, but left Chicago empty-handed. Despite owning the best odds for a top-four pick after a franchise-worst 19-63 season—the second-worst record in the league—the ping-pong balls simply didn't bounce their way. None of their lottery combinations were selected, and they were awarded the fifth overall pick in the June draft.

Here's the painful twist: the Pacers won't get to use that pick. It was conditionally traded to the Los Angeles Clippers back in February as part of the deal that brought center Ivica Zubac to Indiana. The protection on the pick allowed the Pacers to keep it if it landed in the 1-4 or 10-30 range, but it would go to the Clippers if it fell between 5-9. That's exactly what happened. Had they retained the pick, they would have sent their 2031 first-rounder to LA instead. Now, they'll hold onto that future selection.

To make matters worse, Indiana also won't have a second-round pick in this year's draft, having previously traded that selection. The Memphis Grizzlies now hold what was originally the Pacers' No. 32 pick.

The top four picks went to Washington, Memphis, Chicago, and Utah, leaving Pacers fans to wonder what could have been. For a team that's been rebuilding through the draft in recent years—with players like Myles Turner and Chris Duarte coming through the pipeline—this is a tough break. But as any seasoned NBA fan knows, the draft lottery is as much about luck as it is about strategy. Sometimes, even the best odds don't guarantee a win.