BAT-SALEH

@NateDuncanNBA Then we wouldn't be stuck with him.

What if he'd gotten traded somewhere else at the deadline?

@itsCSB__ A top 5 pick is the type of pick you can package to get a superstar. You don't waste it on a role player like Zubac.

how is it an overpay when: • the Pacers were not bringing back Mathurin • they traded a 2nd/3rd string center • traded a protected pick where, if conveyed, presumably none of the prospects available would help this team on Day 1 like if the trade being an “overpay” hinges on the outcome of some ping pong balls, then i’m just not quite sure that’s an actual overpay

@tbaberr @itsCSB__ Gobert was an all star and a dpoty, probably the best defensive center in the league at the time. There is zero comparison to Zubac.

@itsCSB__ Gobert went for 5 1sts and multiple players and I’m supposed to believe 2 picks and an expiring deal is an overpay

@ChandranTheMan I think this is exactly why LA Knight is so stuck where he is. He should be a heel but the fans are never going to let him be one.

I’d honestly love to see a refresh of LA Knight’s character. I know he’s an insanely popular babyface, but a heel turn could really freshen him up and open more opportunities at the top of the card. WWE badly needs more strong main event heels right now, and LA Knight turning would instantly create fresh programs with guys like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns. The key is that WWE would have to fully commit to it and go all in, unlike how they handled The New Day’s turn. If they put real effort behind it, I genuinely think this could take LA Knight’s career to another level.

@Sleeper_Hoops Nothing could be more true

TRUE/FALSE: The 76ers made a HUGE mistake trading away Jared McCain.

@PacersLead Crazy business that you can already say what the post-draft lineup is when the draft is a month away.

Pacers’ projected lineup post-NBA Draft: Starters: Tyrese Haliburton Andrew Nembhard Aaron Nesmith Pascal Siakam Ivica Zubac Bench: TJ McConnell Ben Sheppard Jarace Walker Obi Toppin Jay Huff Do we need to make another move?

@Liqui_Sniper @ESPNNBA @PatMcAfeeShow A second round exit.

@ESPNNBA @PatMcAfeeShow Love the conviction, mate. Trusting the process is how you build something proper. As a fan from Down Under, what’s next for the roster?

"I'm not sorry about doing the trade, I felt like that was the right trade at the right time." Pacers President of Basketball Ops. Kevin Pritchard talks about the NBA draft lottery, and his reaction to not getting a top-four pick. (via @patmcafeeshow)

@ESPNNBA @PatMcAfeeShow The type of babble that spills out of a man's mouth when he knows he just screwed up.

@PacersEnjoyer The mental gymnastics you sycophants are going through to justify this horrible trade is absolutely hilarious.

If the Pacers didnt make the Zubac trade and we were sitting here today with the 5th pick and no starting center, I would argue the vibes surrounding the team would be 10x worse Top 4 was always the prize. Sucks it didnt happen. At least we have a really f-ing good center now

@JPadmore92 It's not the worst trade of all time. It's the stupidest trade of all time.

Crazy how for years Zubac was universally known as under-rated and on one of the best contracts in the NBA. Then, the Pacers lose pick 5 and folks say it's the worst trade of all-time (LMAO) and rag on Zu. I can't wait for him to dominate next season #YesCers

@esidery The Luka trade was worst because of the emotional impact on the fanbase. But from a pure basketball stupidity I'd say this is just as bad.

The Pacers are the first team in NBA history to finish a season with less than 20 wins and not have a first-round pick to draft afterwards. Indiana must win a title now with Ivica Zubac in their current roster window to avoid this being viewed as a historically bad trade.

@TheZReport_ Since when is it the NBAs job to give something to the Nets?

The NBA has given Nets fans nothing to root for. No top picks. No superstars. No hype. Barclays Center will be empty for another season and Nets fans will continue to suffer. The Nets are the most hopeless team in the NBA.

@213Clipset No, but I would trade the 5th pick in the draft for Giannis.

Would Pacer fans do Siakam + 2031/33 for Giannis I’m actually curious

@Charlottean28 @shawniewawniee That's what really kills me. People think because they made the Finals that they're come right back and do it again. There's no reason to believe that run was any different than the Trae Young Hawks making the ECF finals that one time.

@shawniewawniee On what team that’s intact The Pacers aren’t a contender even with Haliburton back, in whatever shape they get him back in. They needed more high end talent, not a halfway decent starting C. If the Pacers were to try to trade Zubac now what’s the highest pick they’d get? 17?

The Pacers really had the worst season in their franchise history and risked a 48% chance of losing their draft pick for for Ivica Zubac I can’t begin to justify that. This wasn’t even a really unlucky outcome. It was basically a coin flip.

@esidery Pacers traded the 5th pick for Zubac and Evan said hold my beer.

A hypothetical Pacers all-in pivot trade to maximize their title window after losing the No. 5 overall pick for Ivica Zubac: Indiana: Trey Murphy III Pelicans: Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, 2027 1st, 2028 swap, 2030 swap, 2031 1st, 2032 swap, 2033 1st New Orleans will want a Desmond Bane-type haul — three to four 1sts — to even entertain Murphy deals.

@YaronWeitzman It's absolutely crazy. The trade was awful. But the GM of the team coming out now and saying he thought they were due some luck makes it so much worse. I have zero trust in a GM who factors LUCK into his decision making.

I get the idea behind this post but saying you’re “surprised” that a basic 50/50 shot didn’t go in your favor because you felt you were “due some luck” doesn’t exactly give the impression that a proper risk assessment was done before doing this trade

@BKSecretsports @MarcJSpears HAD a chance? No. What was worth it was NOT trading the pick and actually getting a player.

@MarcJSpears High risk high reward they knew it would come to this + you let go of Mathurin to the same team. It’s a loss can’t underestimate that, but for Pacer fans I wouldn’t be upset you had a great chance at A.J Dybansta or Darryn Peterson it was well worth it

The Pacers basically traded the #5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft for Zubac

@MarcJSpears They made this trade then tanked all the way to the 2nd worst record just to get nothing. Now Adam Silver is fixing to ruin the draft thanks in part to the Pacers when they could've just competed this year and probably got to keep their pick.

@masonyo25 In no universe is Zubac worth the God damn fifth pick in the draft. Utter complete nonsense.

Plenty of Pacers fans already saying that the Zubac trade isn’t worth it now. They are completely wrong. No one we would’ve gotten at 5 would be any better than Zubac. Plus, if we don’t tank, we don’t get Zubac. Still a great trade.

@JudgementKazzer Don't watch big fucking chuds on YouTube then.

Rushing through the story is almost mandatory for these type of games because you just know there's going to be some big fucking chud on youtube uploading "GTA 6 Lucia death scene" on day one.