Pacers' decision not to play Zubac raises draft pick questions

Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Pacers' decision not to play Ivica Zubac raises draft pick questions

By Zachary Wolpin | Last updated Feb 18, 2026 1:20 PM ET

Without Tyrese Haliburton in 2025-26, it's been a challenging season for the Indiana Pacers. Coming out of the All-Star break, the team is 15-40 and 14th in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana's next game is Thursday evening on the road vs. the Washington Wizards. On Tuesday, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle took time to speak to the media.

He mentioned "it’s going to be a while" before trade acquisition Ivica Zubac makes his team debut.

The 28-year-old has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury. However, media members are questioning Indiana's motive behind Zubac not playing. Is the team trying to protect its coveted 2026 first-round pick?

Rick Carlisle with the latest on Ivica Zubac and Obi Toppin timelines. More: https://t.co/TnQQhujpSn pic.twitter.com/pBX1qQnSAs
— Tony East (@TonyREast) February 18, 2026

Are Pacers blatantly not playing Ivica Zubac to protect a draft pick?

Several players have missed extended time for the Pacers in 2025-26. With that, the team has struggled mightily this season. After making it to Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, Indiana is nowhere close to that same team.

The Pacers currently have the fourth-best odds to land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. As of Wednesday, they have a 58.1 percent chance at a top-four pick. Ironically, the Pacers' first-round draft pick in 2026 is protected 1-4 and 10-30. If the pick lands 5-9, it will go to the Clippers. That is something the Pacers want to desperately avoid.

Since joining them, Zubac has missed four consecutive games with an ankle injury. Just last week, the team was fined $100,000 for tanking behavior.

Zachary Wolpin

Zach Wolpin is an NBA and NFL writer who covers league news, trends, and daily storylines across professional sports. He has several years of experience writing about both leagues, with work published at outlets including Sir Charles In Charge, G-Men HQ, and TAPinto South Plainfield. Wolpin is a graduate of Montclair State University, where he earned a degree in Sports Media and Writing

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