Pacers inquire about Zubac! Insider reports Clippers' asking price is high: at least multiple first-round picks required for negotiations

On December 11th Beijing time, NBA reporter Siegel reported that the Pacers are one of the teams likely to chase Zubac this season. Sources indicate the Pacers have recently reached out to the Clippers to discuss the center’s availability.

During this offseason, Pacers' Miles Turner joined the divisional rival Bucks as a free agent. Insider Shams reported that the Pacers currently rely on Isaiah Jackson, J.J. Hiffield, and Tony Bradley to anchor their frontcourt, while still searching for a potential long-term solution at the center position this season.

Additionally, veteran NBA reporter Jack Fisher noted that Mavericks' big man Gafford is also on the Pacers’ list of potential targets.

Both Gafford and Zubac have contracts extending beyond this season, with annual salaries ranging between $18 million and $20 million. This contract setup is quite appealing to the Pacers, who currently have two max players (Haliburton and Siakam), while Turner’s salary in the final year of his 2024-25 contract is slightly under $20 million.

The Pacers hold all their future first-round draft picks and have several players who could be used as trade assets to match Zubac’s $18.1 million salary, including Toppin ($14 million), Mathurin ($9.2 million), and Jalen Walker ($6.7 million). This gives the team ample capacity to construct a viable trade package.

However, it remains uncertain if the Clippers are truly willing to consider trading Zubac. Last season, Zubac was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and finished second in Most Improved Player voting. Fisher pointed out that the Clippers seem reluctant to part with the 28-year-old big man. Siegel himself admitted last week that reports about whether the Clippers are open to trade talks involving Zubac have been “mixed.”

In his latest report, Siegel stated that executives from other teams in the league noted that despite the Clippers’ poor start this season (6 wins, 18 losses), if trade offers include multiple first-round picks, the Clippers would at least be willing to open negotiations regarding Zubac’s trade.So far this season, Zubac has played 24 games for the Clippers, averaging 15.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 59.9%.