Pacers waiting on lottery luck to shape future

The Pacers may have more riding on the lottery than anyone.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Indiana’s offseason outlook could swing dramatically based on where its pick lands.

There’s some risk here. The Pacers could lose their first-round pick to the Clippers if it falls within a certain range, a result of the February deal that brought in Ivica Zubac.

That trade filled a need at center. But it complicated the draft outlook.

If Indiana keeps the pick? Everything changes.

The Pacers would be drafting near the top of what’s viewed as a strong class, with names like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer potentially in play.

That’s franchise-altering territory.

It would also come at the right time, with Tyrese Haliburton expected back from injury and the Pacers looking to reestablish themselves in the East.

So yes, the lottery matters. For Indiana, it might matter more than most.