Locked On NBA – Daily Podcast On The National Basketball Association Pacers Make DEADLINE DEAL For Ivica Zubac | The Big 3 in 30 NBA
Feb 6, 2026
A blockbuster trade brings Ivica Zubac to Indiana and the deal's protections and future pick quirks get unpacked. Discussion on why the Pacers are pushing to win now around Halliburton and Siakam. Milwaukee’s deadline posture and why Giannis stayed in town are debated. Recap of a Lakers win marred by Luka Doncic exiting with leg soreness and who stepped up in the game.
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Contract Fit Was Key To The Trade
- Zubac’s salary structure (about $18.9M this season) fits the Pacers' cap planning and timeline.
- Tony East argues the contract length aligns with other core players' timelines for extensions.
Halliburton’s Availability Shapes Outcomes
- Tony East repeats a stat: with Tyrese Halliburton healthy, the Pacers have not lost a series he finishes.
- He warns Halliburton's torn Achilles creates uncertainty for this era's true ceiling.
Act If Fit And Cost Align
- Evaluate players for both on-court fit and salary flexibility before trading core rotation pieces.
- Tony East implies teams should act if a high-value, affordable target is available now rather than waiting.