2026 NBA Trade Discussion Thread

[Saint Cy of JFC]

So yeah, the Pacers will tank their asses off to make sure they get the worst record with those protections. What a weird trade for the Clippers, but if it pays off, damn. Crazy that they have a 48% shot or worse at losing the pick to the Clippers just for Zubac

 

[slc]

Why protect the pick 10-30???

Maybe now they seem sure their 2026 pick will be in the 10-30 range

 

[jom2003]

Basically IND has to tank the **** out to make sure they land in the bottom 3. Even then, their chance at keeping their pick is only 53%.

 

[KqWIN]

Why protect the pick 10-30???

Turns into 31 unprotected if it doesn’t convey. Guessing the Clips wanted that in there?

I was actually more certain the Pacers wouldn’t play Zu and tank before knowing what they gave up. Hmm…I’ll have to think about this one more. Still no incentive for them to win.

 

[fishonjazz]

What did the clippers get in the zubac trade?

 

[jom2003]

Why protect the pick 10-30???

Maybe they win a few games here and there then see a chance at maybe sneaking into the playin. Then they can keep the pick still. Especially given the East is now wide open with MIL and CHI heading to the tank.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Why protect the pick 10-30???

Maybe they just say **** it and win?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

What would you rather do if you were a Pacers fan? Tank to the bottom and have a 48% shot at losing the 5th pick to the Clippers, or get to 10th worst be guaranteed to keep a late lottery pick, or jump up into the top 4?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Basically IND has to tank the **** out to make sure they land in the bottom 3. Even then, their chance at keeping their pick is only 53%.

Actually they might be better off just winning a lot of games to keep the pick 10-14 with a chance to jump into the top 4. Fascinating decision.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

If they get to 10th they have a 10% chance at jumping into the top 4 and a 100% at keeping the pick.

With the worst record they have a 48% of losing the pick by selecting 5th.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Why protect the pick 10-30???

Oh, wow IND is trading their 2026 pick (1-4 and 10-30 protected)

Fascinating.

 

[jom2003]

Actually they might be better off just winning a lot of games to keep the pick 10-14 with a chance to jump into the top 4. Fascinating decision.

Yeah exactly. Maybe they looked at Peterson/AJ/Booz and said nah, we want Arenas or Ament instead. So they gonna try win a few games and go for the playin. Worst case they can still come up with a 11th or 12th pick and get a very solid player out of it. Keep tanking at this point is simply too risky for them. And honestly watching their games, they just aren't that bad. Their record has a lot to do with the professional tanking job from carlisle. He's a master at that. Tanked Mavs so they could draft Luka.