The Clippers weren’t exactly eager to move off Ivica Zubac this season. For most of the year, L.A. made it clear their starting center wasn’t available - even after last week’s trade with the Cavaliers, the expectation around the league was that Zubac would stay put. But the Pacers had other plans, and they weren’t subtle about it.
Indiana came into the deadline laser-focused on upgrading their center position, and according to multiple reports, they were more aggressive behind the scenes than many realized. They explored several options - reaching out to the Cavaliers about Jarrett Allen and keeping tabs on Onyeka Okongwu in Atlanta. Okongwu’s contract, with two years and $33 million remaining after this season, made him especially appealing for a team targeting centers on mid-sized deals.
But through all their scouting and calls, the name at the top of the Pacers’ list was always Zubac.
They did their homework. The Pacers also looked into Daniel Gafford in Dallas and Yves Missi in New Orleans, but Zubac checked all the boxes: a proven interior presence, playoff experience, and still just 28 years old.
The only problem? The Clippers had a high asking price - two first-round picks plus additional assets.
And internally, some in L.A. were just fine with that price tag scaring teams off. Zubac is highly valued within the organization, and if the Pacers had walked away, the Clippers would’ve been content to keep their anchor in the middle.
But Indiana didn’t flinch.
They put together a package that got L.A.’s attention: two first-round picks, a future second-rounder, and two young players - Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson. That was enough to get the Clippers to say yes.
One of the first-rounders comes with some unusual protections. It only conveys to the Clippers in 2026 if it falls between picks No. 5 and No. 9 in this year’s draft.
If it doesn’t land in that window, the pick rolls over - not to 2027, as you might expect, but all the way to 2031. That wasn’t a random detail.
The Clippers specifically wanted a longer-term asset in that scenario. Their thinking?
With Zubac in the fold and potentially a top-four pick in 2026, the Pacers could be a strong team in the short term, making the value of a 2027 pick less appealing. But 2031?
That’s far enough out to introduce some real unpredictability - and potentially more upside.
This wasn’t just about Zubac. The Clippers have been eyeing 2027 as a key offseason, hoping to have the cap space to chase a star.
But in today’s NBA, cap space alone doesn’t guarantee you land a big name. Fewer stars are hitting free agency, and more often than not, trades are how the biggest moves get made.
That’s why L.A. prioritized replenishing their draft capital - to better position themselves for a potential star acquisition down the line.
As for the Pacers, they weren’t willing to part with their 2026 first-rounder in a deal for Gafford, and the Mavericks didn’t see Mathurin as a fit, so those talks never gained real traction. Dallas had hoped to pry away a 2026 first-round pick if they moved Gafford, but Indiana wasn’t biting. The Hawks, who also had interest in the Mavs’ big man, weren’t eager to give up their least favorable ’26 first-rounder (likely Cleveland’s), so those conversations stalled out too.
In the end, Indiana got their guy - and paid a steep but calculated price to do it. The Clippers, meanwhile, move forward with added flexibility, a couple of intriguing young players, and a long-term bet that could pay off big down the road.