The 2026 NBA trade season has been nothing short of wild-and with the deadline just hours away, things are only getting hotter. One name that continues to dominate the rumor mill? Ivica Zubac, the Los Angeles Clippers’ starting center, who’s suddenly become one of the most talked-about big men on the market.
Zubac has been the subject of trade chatter for weeks now, and it’s not just smoke. The Clippers reportedly turned down a package that included a first-round pick and a pick swap, signaling they value him highly-and maybe even more than some expected.
That sentiment was echoed in a big way when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst dropped a bombshell: “If Ivica Zubac gets traded today, he's going to get traded for more than Anthony Davis was traded for. Multiple first-round draft picks.”
That’s a bold comparison, especially when you consider Davis’ résumé. But it speaks volumes about how Zubac is viewed right now-an impact player in his prime, on a team that’s clearly retooling on the fly.
And speaking of big moves, the league just saw another blockbuster. The Dallas Mavericks swung a major trade, sending Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards.
In return, Dallas landed Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-rounders. That’s a massive haul, and it gives us a sense of just how aggressive front offices are getting as the deadline looms.
Back in L.A., the Clippers aren’t sitting still either. They already made waves earlier this week by trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick-a move that raised eyebrows and signaled a clear shift in direction for the franchise.
Now, all eyes are on Zubac. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Clippers continue to receive calls about the 26-year-old center, and one team in particular has emerged as a serious suitor: the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers are in a tough spot this season. With Tyrese Haliburton still sidelined as he recovers from an ACL tear, Indiana has struggled to stay afloat.
They’re currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 13-38 record. That kind of adversity often forces teams to make bold moves-and targeting a player like Zubac makes sense.
He brings size, toughness, and consistency in the paint, and could be a stabilizing force for a team that’s trying to weather the storm until their star point guard returns.
What makes Zubac so valuable right now is his versatility. He’s a reliable rim protector, a strong rebounder, and a smart interior presence who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact. In a league that’s increasingly spacing the floor and emphasizing pace, having a traditional big who can still thrive in today’s game is a luxury-and teams know it.
With the deadline ticking down, the question isn’t whether Zubac will be moved-it’s whether someone’s willing to meet the Clippers’ asking price. If Windhorst’s assessment holds, that price won’t be cheap. But for a team like Indiana, desperate for a spark and eyeing the long-term picture, it might just be worth it.
Stay tuned-this trade season still has plenty of fireworks left.