The Indiana Pacers making a blockbuster trade for Ivica Zubac is looking better and better every day.
The Indiana Pacers went into the NBA trade deadline last year badly needing a long-term center. After watching Myles Turner leave in free agency to sign with the rival Milwaukee Bucks, it was clear that Kevin Pritchard and the front office needed to make a move.
Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson were not getting the job done. In order to remain a legitimate NBA Finals contender, the Pacers needed an anchor.
With that being said, Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan pulled off a blockbuster trade before the deadline. They acquired Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers.
In order to get a deal done, Indiana had to give up a lot of value. For Zubac and young wing Kobe Brown, the Pacers traded away Bennedict Mathurin, Jackson, a 2026 first-round pick that was top-four protected, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick via Dallas.
Pritchard took a gamble with the team's 2026 first-round pick. Unfortunately, the ping pong balls did not bounce Indiana's way and the pick conveyed to the Clippers.
However, what has happened since the trade has made it clear that the Pacers won the deal.
After just half a season in Los Angeles, Mathurin left town this offseason to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason on a two-year, $16 million deal. Jackson remains with the Clippers and the No. 5 pick was used on Keaton Wagler. No one knows what Wagler will become in the NBA, but a new update has made the move even better for Indiana.
Due to the Kawhi Leonard investigation, Los Angeles has been stripped of the Pacers' 2029 first-round pick. It won't return to Indiana, but the Clippers won't get another young player out of the Zubac trade.
On the flip side, the Pacers have a star center to pair with Tyrese Haliburton. Zubac is one of the best big men in the league. Indiana has received glowing reviews about its new star.
Zubac is coming off of a 2025-26 NBA season where he played in 48 total games. He averaged 14.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 59.8 percent from the floor.
Back in the 2024-25 campaign, the 29-year-old center averaged 16.8 points per game to go along with 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks, while shooting 62.8 percent from the floor.
There are few centers who are more impactful throughout the league than Zubac. The Pacers have had rebounding issues over the years, but Zubac is one of the best in that category. He will help fix issues and also give Indiana a legitimate scoring presence in the post.
Only time will tell how the full trade looks, but for now the Pacers have to be feeling good. Los Angeles losing the 2029 first-round pick is a devastating blow for the franchise.
