The Los Angeles Clippers are continuing their roster overhaul, sending center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for rising wing Bennedict Mathurin. It’s the second major move for L.A. in a short span, following their blockbuster deal that shipped James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland. If there was any doubt the Clippers were pivoting toward a new era, this move makes it crystal clear.
Zubac, 28, has quietly been one of the more consistent big men in the league. He’s averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds this season, shooting over 61% from the field - a testament to his efficient, no-frills approach around the rim. He’s also posted 24 double-doubles, anchoring the paint with a physical presence that doesn’t always show up in the highlight reels but absolutely matters when the game slows down.
For Indiana, this is a bold but calculated swing. Zubac joins Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton - forming a trio that, on paper, gives the Pacers a formidable core.
Of course, Haliburton remains sidelined for the season after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. But once he returns, Indiana’s front office is betting that this group can take them from contender to championship-caliber.
The Pacers came painfully close last season, falling in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals. With Haliburton out, they’ve struggled mightily this year, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. But this trade signals they’re not content to wait and see - they’re building for a serious run in 2026-27.
Zubac is under contract through 2027 after signing a three-year, $58.6 million extension with the Clippers in 2024. He’s earning $18.9 million this season, a fair price for a starting-caliber center who brings size, rebounding, and interior scoring - all things Indiana has lacked in Haliburton’s absence.
For the Clippers, the return of Bennedict Mathurin adds a young, athletic wing to a group that’s clearly shifting its identity. Mathurin has shown flashes of scoring ability and upside, and in a new environment with more opportunity, he could take a leap. Pairing him with Garland gives L.A. a youthful backcourt duo to build around, signaling a clear shift from the veteran-heavy rosters of recent years.
Zubac, who began his career with the Lakers before making his mark across town with the Clippers, leaves L.A. with career averages of 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. He’s not a flashy name, but he’s the kind of player who helps teams win - and that’s exactly what Indiana is banking on.