Indiana Pacers team president Kevin Pritchard took to X to apologize to fans after trading a top 4 protected pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in a deal for Ivica Zubac and getting the fifth pick in Sunday’s NBA Draft lottery.
I’m really sorry to all our fans. I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck. But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year. We have always been resilient.
— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) May 10, 2026
The reaction was interesting.
Pritchard wrote, “I thought we were due some luck,” which didn’t go over well. But some fans respected his willingness to apologize publicly and recognize the success the Pacers have had under his leadership. Others … had different thoughts.
I am sorry for the fans too, for all of us, but we will make our own luck like always @PacersKev
— Stephen Simon (@stephenhsimon) May 10, 2026
You lose Myles Turner and add Zubac. You lose Mathurin and the number 5 pick with absolutely nothing in return. This is why fans are upset, for a center who not even a top 5 center in the NBA. Who trades their future away for Ivan Zubac???
— imfromthe662 (@etoliver1986) May 10, 2026
“we were due some luck” is a hell of a strategy.
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) May 10, 2026
You should have just paid Turner, and the team would have kept its pick no matter what happened. This is what happens when you pinch your pennies. Hindsight is 20/20.
— Edwin Sallan (@edwinsallan) May 10, 2026
We’re not mad at you KP. High risk high reward move. We still got an all nba adjacent starting center. Zu will do more to help us win in the next two years than anyone other than AJ or Wilson would’ve done. We move on.
— Rooster (@roosterbra812) May 10, 2026
Respect for taking accountability publicly. Not many executives would openly admit the gamble didn’t work out. The fans may be frustrated now, but building a team capable of competing at the highest level sometimes requires difficult risks.
— ISMAEEL (@Banjy47) May 10, 2026
Scared money don’t make no money. Bring home the chip KP
— Young Simba (@the2kmessiah) May 10, 2026
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kevin Pritchard took to X to apologize for Pacers trading 5th pick
