Pacers Notebook: Jones’ Contract Trigger, Zubac’s Season-Ending Injury, Siakam’s 37-Point Lift, Draft Lottery Outlook
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INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie guard Kam Jones was a DNP-CD on Monday, leaving him short of the 41 appearances that would have fully guaranteed his 2026-27 salary. The 24-year-old’s $2.15 million deal now remains 50 percent guaranteed, with the other half set to lock in only if he stays on the roster past June 30.
The Pacers already have 13 of 15 players under contract for next season, including 10 on fully guaranteed deals and one on a team option. That crowded depth chart could put Jones’ spot in question once offseason decisions begin.
Zubac sidelined by fractured rib
Head coach Rick Carlisle said over the weekend that center Ivica Zubac fractured a rib in the first quarter of last Wednesday’s loss to Portland. The injury made sleeping difficult, and an MRI the next day confirmed the break. “He’s going to be uncomfortable for a while, but he will make a full recovery,” Carlisle noted, calling the setback “a tough break” for a club eager to evaluate its core group.
Siakam powers skid-breaking win
In just his second game back from a knee sprain, forward Pascal Siakam poured in 37 points and produced a game-saving block as Indiana ended its franchise-record 16-game losing streak with Monday’s victory over Orlando. Siakam is averaging 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 48.4 percent this season. “The guy’s a great, great player,” Carlisle said after the win.
Lottery position still secure
At 16-56, the Pacers remain three games clear of 19-53 Sacramento for the league’s fourth-worst record. Because the NBA’s three bottom teams share identical 52.1 percent odds of landing a top-four pick—and Indiana forfeits its first-rounder if it falls between Nos. 5 and 9—the club’s primary concern is staying within that bottom-three tier rather than finishing dead last.
Source: Hoops Rumors
