RealGM Basketball Wiretap

27 February 2026

• Obi Toppin Could Return Thursday

  The Indiana Pacers could be getting a frontcourt reinforcement in the lineup on Thursday. Obi Toppin has been upgraded to questionable to play in the Pacers game vs the Charlotte Hornets. Toppin has been out since late-October with a stress fracture in his right foot.

  The Pacers are without Ivica Zubac, who is recovering from an ankle injury. In addition, Pascal Siakam has missed games recently with both injuries and for personal reasons.

  Toppin looked primed to have a career year for the Pacers. Through three games, the sixth-year forward was averaging career-highs across the board, including playing 27.4 minutes per game.

• Rick Carlisle Says NBA Suggested Medicating Injured Aaron Nesmith To Play

  Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle alleged Tuesday that the NBA suggested the team medicate injured guard Aaron Nesmith so he could play in a February 3 game against the Utah Jazz, the same contest at the center of the league's $100,000 tanking fine against Indiana.

  "During the interview, they also asked if we considered medicating him to play in a game when we were 30 games under .500," Carlisle said on 107.5 The Fan.

  Carlisle called the league's overall investigative process "ridiculous," saying the NBA's appointed lawyer ruled Nesmith fit to play despite never consulting the player, the team's doctors or trainers. Nesmith had suffered a left-hand strain the previous night and could not grip the ball.

  "We asked them if they wanted to talk to the doctors, our doctors, about it because it was something that was documented by our doctors and trainers," Carlisle said. "They said no, they didn't need to. They talked to their doctors, who did not examine Aaron Nesmith."

  The NBA fined Indiana $100,000 on February 12 for violating its player participation policy. The league ruled that Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard were all healthy enough to play in the nine-point loss to Utah. The Jazz were separately fined $500,000 for substitution patterns deemed detrimental to the league.

  The NBA and the NBPA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

  The Pacers enter Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 15-43.

• Tyrese Haliburton Diagnosed With Shingles, Will Be Away From Pacers For Several Weeks

  Tyrese Haliburton was diagnosed with shingles and will be away from the Indiana Pacers for a few weeks, according to head coach Rick Carlisle.

  "He will make a full recovery, but this happened over the last few days," Carlisle told reporters on Sunday. "He was meeting us in D.C. and had some odd symptoms, and he came back here. That's what's happening with him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery. It's a unique case and a unique situation, but I talked to him a few times, and he's always in a good mood, so he'll get through it."

  Haliburton has not played this year after suffering a torn Achilles in Game 7 of last season's NBA Finals.

  The Pacers are 15-43 on the season and have the worst record in the Eastern Conference.

• NBA Fines Jazz $500K For 'Conduct Detrimental To The League; Pacers Receive $100K Fine

  The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 for "conduct detrimental to the league" on Thursday.

  The fine stems for a February 7 game versus the Magic and a February 9 game versus the Heat in which Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not play in the fourth quarter even though they were able to and the "outcomes of the games were thereafter in doubt."

  The Jazz would lose 120-117 to the Magic and beat the Heat 115-111.

  The NBA also fined the Pacers $100,000 for violating its Player Participation Policy during a February 3 game against the Jazz.

  It was determined that Pascal Siakam and two other Pacers starters, who all sat out the game, could have played under the medical standard set by the Policy.

  The Jazz won the game 131-122.

  "Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games," said Adam Silver of the fines.

• Pacers Also Had Trade Interest In Jarrett Allen, Onyeka Okongwu

  In addition to Ivica Zubac, the Indiana Pacers also targeted centers Jarrett Allen and Onyeka Okongwu ahead of the trade deadline. The Pacers acquired Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers as they hope to return title contention next season when Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles injury.

  Allen is signed through the 2029 offseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers on his three-year, $90 million extension.

  Okongwu is only 24 and is on a four-year salary worth $15.5 million per season on average with the Atlanta Hawks.

  Zubac has an annual average of $19.6 million, making him one of the NBA's most affordable centers.

• Pacers' Johnny Furphy Suffers Torn ACL

  Johnny Furphy suffered an injury to his right knee during the third quarter of last night's game at the Toronto Raptors. An MRI taken on Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York confirmed that Furphy tore his right ACL.

  Furphy appeared in 35 games this season with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 5.1 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes.

  The Pacers hold a team option on Furphy for the 2027-28 season.

• NBA Teams Push Boundaries With Aggressive Tank-And-Flip Approach To Rebuilding

  The NBA faces mounting concerns about tanking tactics as teams pursue an aggressive rebuild strategy that executives warn could undermine competitive integrity. League officials discussed the issue at a recent competition committee meeting, though no immediate rule changes are expected this season.

  "You've heard of Icarus and what happens when you fly too close to the sun," one team president said. "I think some teams are in danger of flying too close to the ground."

  The controversial approach centers on what executives call "the flip," which is acquiring star players during lost seasons while continuing to tank for high draft picks, then attempting immediate playoff pushes the following year. The Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz lead the trend after trading for multiple All-Stars despite holding bottom-tier records.

  The Wizards acquired Trae Young and Anthony Davis in separate deals but have kept both sidelined. Young has not played in six weeks despite recovering from a quad injury with Atlanta. Davis, initially given a six-week timeline by Dallas, saw his recovery extended to 10 weeks after joining Washington.

  Utah executed a similar strategy by adding Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis. In his debut Saturday, Jackson scored 22 points in 25 minutes before being benched in the fourth quarter of a three-point loss. Teammate Lauri Markkanen, who scored 27 points in 27 minutes, also sat during crunch time.

  "Trae and AD plus a top-five pick in this draft, or Jaren and Markkanen plus a top-five pick and you have something that could be special," one Eastern Conference head coach said. "No stud from this draft and you have teams that are at the bottom who maybe can just get to the middle."

  Both franchises hold top-eight protected picks, creating powerful incentives to lose games. The Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets appear positioned for similar flips, with the Pacers acquiring Ivica Zubac despite star guard Tyrese Haliburton's torn Achilles.

  After playing 15 of 16 games with the Los Angeles Clippers, Zubac was announced unavailable for upcoming contests due to an ankle issue not previously reported. The Nets retained Michael Porter Jr. at the deadline despite interest, prioritizing their rebuild trajectory over immediate returns.

  "You know what's ironic?" one Western Conference executive asked. "Charlotte trades for White hoping to use him right away, and they find out he's actually injured. And you have Utah, Indy and Washington trade for players and find ways to keep them out."

  The competition committee addressed these non-competitive strategies, but meaningful rule changes remain unlikely before next season.

  "You may think your fans are the toughest ones to answer to when you're rebuilding," one longtime league executive said. "But it's really your owner. And owners want to know when a rebuild will end, and it's clear some of these teams have a deadline."

• Pacers Acquire Ivica Zubac From Clippers For Bennedict Mathurin, Two First Round Picks

  The Indiana Pacers have acquired Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown from the Los Angeles Clippers in a package including Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first round picks and a second round picks. Indiana entered the trade deadline period wanting to upgrade at the center position ahead of Tyree Haliburton's return from his torn Achilles next season.

  The 2026 first rounder sent by the Pacers is protected 1-4 and 10-30. If the pick doesn't convey, the Pacers will send an unprotected 2031 first rounder. The other pick is an unprotected 2029 first rounder.

  Zubac is signed through the 2027-28 season with his three-year, $58.6 million extension signed in 2024. Zubac is one of the more affordable quality centers in the NBA and is currently ranked 40th in RealGM's Player Value Index. Zubac is represented by Jared Mucha.

  Zubac is averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.9 minutes across 43 games this season.

  The Pacers were also engaged with the Dallas Mavericks on a trade for Daniel Gafford.

  Mathurin, who is represented by Nima Namakian, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Mathurin is merging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.8 minutes in 28 games this season with the Pacers. Mathurin was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Arizona.

• Pacers Holding Trade Talks On Ivica Zubac, Daniel Gafford

  The Indiana Pacers continue to pursue a center ahead of the trade deadline with Ivica Zubac and Daniel Gafford targeted. The Pacers would like to acquire a center now to prepare their roster ahead of Tyrese Haliburton's return from a torn Achilles in 2026-27.

  Zubac remains highly valued by the Los Angeles Clippers and the team is holding a steep asking price. Zubac is signed through the 2027-28 season with his three-year, $58.6 million extension signed in 2024. Zubac is one of the more affordable quality centers in the NBA.

  The Dallas Mavericks are maintaining an ask of a first round pick for Gafford, who signed a three-year, $54 million extension last July.

  The Pacers lost Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks last offseason.

• Pacers Emerge As Pre-Agency Candidate Despite Lottery-Bound Season

  The Indiana Pacers sit near the bottom of the standings without injured star Tyrese Haliburton and appear headed for a high lottery pick in the loaded 2026 draft. Rival teams have identified Indiana as a prime "pre-agency" candidate, positioning to add talent now for Haliburton's return in 2026-27 when they will attempt to reclaim their status as a Finals contender.

  The Pacers continue searching for a long-term center solution after free agent Myles Turner departed for the Milwaukee Bucks last summer. With Bennedict Mathurin approaching restricted free agency this offseason, sources expect he could be traded to acquire center help or secure a cheaper long-term wing option.

  Indiana holds a 13-37 record and ranks 26th in Net Rating this season. Outside of Mathurin, the Pacers' core players are signed through either 2028 or 2029, providing roster stability once Haliburton returns.

  The pre-agency strategy involves teams with injured stars using their lottery-bound season to acquire assets while maintaining competitive foundations. Indiana's situation fits this model perfectly with Haliburton sidelined but the remainder of their young core under contract.

  Mathurin represents the team's most valuable trade chip given his impending restricted free agency status. Moving him could address Indiana's biggest weakness at center while freeing up future salary cap flexibility.

  The Pacers' willingness to explore trades signals their recognition that this season is lost but future championship windows remain open. Rival executives view Indiana as aggressive buyers for players who can contribute immediately upon Haliburton's return.

  Turner's departure left a significant void in the frontcourt that Indiana has struggled to fill internally. The center position has become a glaring need that could be addressed through a Mathurin trade.

  Indiana's front office appears focused on maximizing the team's lottery position while simultaneously positioning for rapid improvement next season when their All-Star point guard returns to action.

  The Pacers accomplished a similar pre-agency maneuver in 2024 when they acquired Pascal Siakam from the Indiana Pacers before signing him to a four-year, $189.5 million contract in June of that year.