Indiana Pacers’s ‘championship’ trade move still working out kinks in preseason
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Although Tyrese Halliburton was sidelined with an injury, the Indiana Pacers refused to get complacent and kept a championship roster. One of their biggest moves was a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that brought in Ivica Zubac as a starting center after Myles Turner left to join the Milwaukee Bucks. But as the season starts next week, the team is working out the flaws before they run to the postseason in the spring.
In an article by Jamal Collier, he highlights the fit with Zubac and the Pacers and says team officials believe he will help the Pacers keep playing at a championship level.
“Team sources say the Pacers are confident that the deal will help reopen their championship window. They also acknowledge Zubac, who plays closer to the basket, will provide different strengths than Turner, a center who stretches the floor from 3-point range,” Collier wrote.
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Collier then spoke with Chad Buchanan, the Pacers’ general manager, who believes Rick Carlisle will ultimately make all the pieces fit.
“We have a great coach who figures things out,” Buchanan said to Collier. “That’s a strength of his. If things aren’t going well, and we aren’t playing well — or [Zubac’s] not fitting well, he adapts.”
Buchanan also told Collier that Zubac has heard the criticism and skepticism surrounding his addition to the team and wants to prove doubters wrong.
“He’s so anxious to prove to people. He hates that people say he’ll have to be patient. He hates that. He’s like, ‘I’ve been out 16 effing months. I’m ready to play.’ He’s obviously very confident, but I still think there’s going to be a ramp-up for him as just getting his feet, groove and rhythm back.”
Related: The heartbreaking Pacers’ NBA Finals game etched in Tyrese Haliburton’s brain, and it’s not Game 7