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Ivica Zubac

Mentioned 2 times across 1 podcast this week

This Week's Pulse

Ivica Zubac will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to a fractured rib, compounding a disastrous week for the Indiana Pacers. After the NBA Draft Lottery resulted in the Los Angeles Clippers receiving the fifth overall pick, the trade that brought Ivica Zubac to Indiana has been labeled a total failure by industry analysts.

On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons did not mince words regarding the cost of the transaction, calling it "a staggering kick in the balls." He emphasized that the Indiana Pacers effectively surrendered a potential future All-NBA talent for a player who is now sidelined.

Simmons further characterized the outcome as a "miracle" for the Los Angeles Clippers, noting that "nobody in the planet would trade Zubac for the fifth pick in this draft." The consensus among pundits is that Kevin Pritchard faces an uphill battle to justify the gamble, especially with the team now empty-handed in the upcoming draft as the Clippers look to capitalize on their newfound capital.

Where it's discussed

The Wizards Win (Something!) and More Lottery Reactions, Plus the Juggernaut Knicks With Joe House, Tate Frazier, and Chris Vernon

The Bill Simmons Podcast

Bill Simmonsneutralfrom “NBA Draft Prospect Analysis and Lottery Fallout”

The player involved in a trade that ultimately cost the Indiana Pacers a high draft pick.

“... loses the pick for, for Zubac. And this fifth pick is no joke, Tate, because we move with the fifth pick. There's this second tier of guys. Wagler we mentioned. Acuff, who might be a, a s- uh, next Kyrie for all we know. Burrows is in there. People love Fl…”

Bill Simmonsneutralfrom “Clippers Draft Assets and Future Strategy”

Mentioned as a player traded by the Clippers to help acquire their current draft assets.

“... they basically made it seem like, "Hey, there's four players we love in this draft, and we g-..." But that's not how you can think because if you end up with the fifth pick and you have to give it away, nobody in the, in the, in the planet would trade Zuba…”