The Pacers put a lot of faith in big man Ivica Zubac when they traded Bennedict Mathurin and what eventually became the 5th overall pick in the 2026 draft to acquire him.
Zubac only played five total games for Indiana after the trade, several of which came with a minutes restriction. His lack of reps with the team means he has a big challenge awaiting him next season, Tony East writes for Circle City Spin, as Indiana will hope to hit the ground running with the return of Tyrese Haliburton.
Not only will Zubac have to bounce back from an injury-riddled season, but he will also have to learn a new system, as the Haliburton-led Pacers have played a style that’s very different from the one he spent over six seasons playing with the Clippers. However, the big man thinks that the 118 minutes he was able to play for head coach Rick Carlisle this year gave him a head-start in understanding what’s expected.
“Definitely helped with (getting) a feel for how this team wants to play, about the pace, about defensive coverages, the defensive rotations,” Zubac said. “Offensively, where they want me to be, what they want me to do. So it definitely helped. I wish (there) were more games to get a better feel for it. But I kind of understood what they want from me, and (I’ve) got the whole summer to get in the best shape of my life and get ready for the next year.”
We have more from around the Central Division:
- The Bucks have the 10th pick in the 2026 NBA draft and have reportedly been operating like a team that expects to make more than one selection. Given the franchise’s uncertain state as Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors continue to swirl, starting out with a strong draft pick will be crucial. With that in mind, Ben Steele of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel breaks down a multitude of potential candidates, including Nate Ament, whose floor might be the No. 10 pick.
- The Bulls are widely expected to take Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick, barring an unexpected decision in the top three, but what about No. 15? Cameron Carr is one of the true two-way wing prospects in the class, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times in his annual mock draft. Carr also fulfills the SLAP (Size, Length, Athleticism, Physicality) requirements of the new vice president of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, according to Cowley.
- After recording their most wins in a single season since 2005/06, the Pistons are in the market to address two key areas this summer: shooting and ball-handling, according to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. Sankofa looks at three potential blockbuster trades to fill those holes, including the rumored three-team Antetokounmpo scenario that would land Tyler Herro in Detroit. Herro would come with some risks due to durability and defensive concerns, as well as his expiring contract. Sankofa also examines frameworks for deals that would send Trey Murphy III or Kyrie Irving to Detroit.
