The Indiana Pacers own the NBA‘s worst record as the 2026 NCAA Tournament revs up. The Pacers (15-53) have lost 13 straight games for the second time this season.
Owning the worst record doesn’t guarantee the first pick in June’s NBA Draft. The teams with the three worst records each have a 14% chance of getting the top selection in the May 10 draft lottery. (Through a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Pacers would lose the pick if it falls in the 5-9 range.)
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If the Pacers get an early pick, three players that get the March Madness spotlight are viewed as likely options — Duke’s Cameron Boozer, BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson.
NBA mock draft 2026: Who will the Indiana Pacers pick in the 2026 NBA Draft?
(A.J. Dybantsa, BYU, goes No. 1 overall to the Sacramento Kings)
“There isn’t much left Cameron Boozer can show to change the minds of evaluators who visualize more upside with A.J. Dybantsa and/or Darryn Peterson. He’s shooting 40.4% on similar 3-point volume as Dybantsa, a projected wing. His assist percentage is more than double Peterson’s. The tape shows a clear threat off the dribble — attacking in transition (14 coast-to-coast FGs), pulling up into 3s (11-of-26) or using the 1-2 punch of ball-handling and strength for driving past or through. Boozer grades in Synergy Sports‘ 90th percentile or better in both ball screen and isolation possessions, which all start outside the paint.
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“He’s been the ultimate mismatch — overpowering inside, skilled around the perimeter and smart inside the defense making passing reads.”
Pacers draft: How Duke star Cameron Boozer would — and wouldn’t — fit the Pacers
(Dybantsa goes No. 1 overall to the Kings)
“Peterson still has a real chance to go number one, with his overlap of shot-making, creation, and on/off ball versatility, along with backcourt size and length. But while Dybantsa’s game has ascended this year, questions about Peterson’s durability and availability have snowballed. In Indiana, he’d join a contender from day one and be able to pair with Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt.”
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“The race for the No. 1 pick is a tight one, but if the Pacers get the pick, the most likely candidate is A.J. Dybantsa. Even though he has flirted with the idea of returning to college, he is the perfect missing piece (around Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac) for this roster. The Big 12 Rookie of the Year leads the nation in unassisted points scored (680) by a wide margin this season, per CBB Analytics. The emerging star became the youngest player in NCAA history with a 30-point triple-double against Eastern Washington on Dec. 22. Highlighted by his 43-point performance against in-state rival Utah on Jan. 24 and 40 points against Kansas State in the Big 12 Tournament on March 10, he has averaged 28.4 points per game over his last 16 appearances.”
Pacers draft: How AJ Dybantsa would fit the Pacers as a top NBA draft pick
“Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson is still viewed by many as the best prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft, but it’s now a real debate. Where things could get interesting during the pre-draft process is if Peterson’s camp opts not to provide his medicals for certain teams, as we’ve seen from some players of his caliber in the past. That wouldn’t be an issue for the Indiana Pacers.
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“This would be the perfect pairing for Peterson. The 6-foot-5 guard brings a shot-making ability that would pair beautifully in a backcourt shared by Tyrese Haliburton. Peterson finished the regular season averaging 20 PPG, shooting 38.3 percent from the perimeter (2.6 three-pointers made per game) with a 53.6 effective field goal percentage. We do believe he’ll regain the elite explosiveness that he showed consistently in high school, and the Pacers have the spacing to further maximize his ability to drive to the rim. If he stays healthy and gets drafted by Indiana, Peterson would have his best chance to reach his ceiling as a perennial All-NBA guard.”
NBA Draft Room: No. 3 overall, Darryn Peterson, Kansas
(Dybantsa goes No. 1 overall to the Kings; Cam Boozer goes No. 2 to the Brooklyn Nets)
“It’s been a strange year for the talented 2-guard. I still think he’s the most gifted player in this draft but seeing him play limited minutes, sub out of games and not have a huge impact on winning when he is on the floor raises some concerns. There’s a real chance that his leg injury is a temporary thing and he’ll get back to his full speed and explosiveness by the time he’s suiting up in the NBA, so I hesitate to drop him too far. Don’t let the strange season fool you, this kid has superstar potential.”
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NBA worst records going into games of March 16
Team
Record
Indiana Pacers
15-53
Washington Wizards
16-50
Brooklyn Nets
17-50
Sacramento Kings
18-51
Utah Jazz
20-48
New Orleans Pelicans
22-46
When is the 2026 NBA Draft lottery?
Sunday, May 10
When is the 2026 NBA Draft?
The date has not been announced, but it usually takes place in late June, shortly after the NBA Finals conclude.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBA mock draft 2026: Indiana Pacers Dybantsa Boozer Peterson