Ivica Zubac

So, yeah, it's I think that's partially why, like, again, you know, Nico Batum really of this era.

I think the only guy with comparable kind of fan adoration is Zoo.

But Zoo is also always a much more controversial player, I think, than the Nico Batum.

Oh, Zoo for sure, I think should be mentioned as far as beloved Clippers and not just beloved, but the fact that he went out and brought in equity and people will remember Wagler with Zoo, you know, and if Wagler does turn out to be a star, like we're all hoping, please, basketball guy.

Please.

Please.

But anyways.

That would be funny.

I mean, it's pretty crazy.

And especially when, like, our third best player in Ivica Zubac, he's only making $20 million a year right now.

And... um he's set to be a free agent i believe after the 2028 season um and he's gonna have to get paid and that's a guy that you know pacers are obviously wanting to commit to for the long term so i think saving the money keeping guys on lower smaller deals because you know toppin seems like a guy who wouldn't You know, he's already got his bag.

I think he's going to resign for a little bit smaller when when his extension is over.

It's going to be similar to the mid-2000s Detroit Pistons, where they had four guys on the All-Star team and their small forward was left out.

That's what's going to happen for the Pacers this year.

I'm talking Halliburton, Andrew Nimhard, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac are all going to be All-Stars in the NBA this year on the number one seed Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference.

Aaron Neesmith's going to be left out, but that's okay.

And Siakam, I'm not as high on him.

I just think if everybody's back, if Halliburton's back and healthy and with Zubat's in there, I think Siakam's role is going to kind of diminish a little bit.

But I get it too.

You know, versatile and, you know, has upside.

I would have preferred Embiid, Ware.

Even Alex Saar, who went the next round.

Edie, Zubats, we'll get to those names.

But this is the middle of the draft here.

I'm worried, although I love...

This isn't really about Zubac.

If a different team had Zubac, like if the Jazz had Zubac, I would be absolutely thrilled.

I worry a little bit if this team loses a bit of its special sauce on offense that guys can't defend being a little bit more traditional.

I still think they're going to be really good.

Um, and I think this team is hamstrung constantly by, they are not willing to pay the luxury tax.

They've like never paid it and they will not pay it.

Um, and that's why they did this Zubach deal because the reason Zubach was the guy they needed is cause he's on this like outlier small contract.

Seven, though, I have Indiana.

I think the Pacers, with the return of Tyrese Halliburton, I don't think he's going to play every game, of course, but they traded for Zubach last year.

I think he's going to be a big addition for them.

He just does what's needed from your center.

Aaron Neesmith, I think he went to Vanderbilt, at the small forward.

Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac playing the five.

$211.7 million in total salary.

Hard capped at the first apron.

I get it just because you don't know what you're getting out of Tyrese Albert from John Blake.

if Tyrus Albertin is healthy, like this is basically the same team that went to the NBA finals with, you know, Zubac instead of Miles Turner, which, you know, Miles Turner is a different player in terms of like, you know, being able to space the floor, but Howie's also never played with a pick and roll partner like a Zubac.

So it could be more devastating.

But, you know, it really just kind of comes down to Howie's health.