The Indiana Pacers did not have lottery luck on their side as their pick in the upcoming NBA Draft was conveyed to the LA Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade from back at the deadline. Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard apologized to fans for the loss of their pick, but also stressed the need for a starting center. Well count Golden State Warriors vet Draymond Green as one who believes the deal could be among the worst ever.
During a recent episode of his podcast, ‘The Draymond Green Show,’ Green suggested that if the player the Clippers select at No. 5 turns into an All-Star caliber player, then the trade will sting for the Pacers no matter what.
“But I will say, tough luck man,” Green said. “You did get your starting center, but if that comes at the heels of a perennial All-Star, unless the Pacers go win a championship, this could be viewed as top-five worst trades ever.”
Article Continues Below
The Pacers trade for Ivica Zubac clearly was made with championship contention in mind. The team was coming off a run to the NBA Finals where they pushed the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games amid the Achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton.
Last season was pretty much a gap year while Haliburton rehabbed from his injury. But with their star point guard expected back for next season, the Pacers have the makings of a contender in the Eastern Conference. Zubac gives them the starting caliber center they needed following the departure of Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks.
But only time will tell if the trade ends up benefitting both teams, or if the Pacers end up getting the short end of the stick.
The Indiana Pacers did not have lottery luck on their side as their pick in the upcoming NBA Draft was conveyed to the LA Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade from back at the deadline. Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard apologized to fans for the loss of their pick, but also stressed the need for a starting center.