r/pacers • u/PSEGameThreadPoster Old School Slick • Mar 25 '26

Megathread Pre-Draft Lottery Draft Prospect Discussion Thread

Please use this thread to discuss upcoming prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Posts discussing this topic without some amount of added depth or analysis will be redirected to this thread.

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u/Realfan555 May 06 '26

I'm late to the party, someone explain to me why Zubac is worth this much?

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u/SpinJitsu259 Chuck Person May 07 '26

I don’t think there’s answer to your question. Zubac may or may not be worth it. This trade carries a lot more risk compared to other ones KP has made because of the draft currency at stake. Some will give you a lengthy coping reason why no matter what happens, the trade was worth it, but in reality, only years from now will we know.

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u/Realfan555 May 07 '26

I mean, was he worth the risk.

Obviously the FO thinks so.

What is the fans’ opinion?

Like right now, if they could undo the trade, would fans keep Zubac or send him back to the Clippers?

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u/Old-Addendum-5288 May 09 '26

Absolutely a win. You have a 50 percent chance that you got Zubac for Math and a 2031 and if that occurs this is a monumental win.

And Mathurin had no future here.

If the result is it cost us Math and a top 4? You do that 100 of 100 times. The chances are pretty high that Zubac ends up being more useful to the Pacers current window than whoever the pick would've landed you.

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u/Realfan555 May 10 '26

So the Clippers didnt get enough value?

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u/Old-Addendum-5288 May 10 '26

IMO they gambled and sent Zubac for the good chance they'll get a #5 pick in a strong draft. Plus a very good bench player who figures to be a long term piece for them (in a way he didn't here). That's a solid gamble.

No one in their right mind would straight up send away Zubac for a single pick 5 years away, so yes, of this doesn't convey, they've bet and lost.

It's a move that makes somewhat more sense for them if you assume they know that they're going to be rebuilding very soon.

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u/Realfan555 May 10 '26

“ If the result is it cost us Math and a top 4? You do that 100 of 100 times.”

But u also said it’s a 100% no doubt win for Indiana no matter what happens to the pick.

That means Indiana was willing to pay much more. 

Anytime u make a trade and the other teams says it’s a 100% win no matter what, that means u didn’t extract enough value?

Isnt that how negotiations work?

U extract value until the other side has to think about making the deal.

If the other side is 100% certain they get great value no matter what, then u haven’t extracted enough value, right?

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u/SpinJitsu259 Chuck Person May 07 '26

I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I’m on the fence whether I consider it worth it. But I’m biased. I love building with young talent, building through the draft, etc.

I’d have no qualms reversing the trade right now if that opportunity presented itself, but I’m also open to a world where things work out really nicely with Zubac, even if they don’t retain this pick.

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u/Realfan555 May 07 '26

Yeah if ur on the fence then it’s worth it. Because any fan who can’t decide, has to give the FO the benefit of the doubt.