Ivica Zubac is set to make his debut for the Indiana Pacers after being sidelined since February 2 due to a left ankle sprain. During his recovery, Zubac was traded from the LA Clippers to the Pacers, and Thursday night marks his first game with the new squad.
With the Clippers, Zubac was a force, averaging 14.4 points and 11 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 61.3% from the field. His presence in the paint is exactly what Indiana has been missing this season. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle mentioned that while Zubac's return might be a bit sooner than anticipated, his contribution is eagerly awaited.
Despite Zubac’s return, the Pacers are in a strategic position regarding their draft prospects. As part of the trade deal, Indiana's first-round pick in June is set to go to the Clippers, but it's top-four protected.
With a 15-50 record, the Pacers currently hold the league’s worst record, which gives them just a 52% chance of retaining that pick due to lottery odds. Indiana is in a tight race with Brooklyn, Sacramento, and Washington at the bottom of the standings, all within two games of each other.
If the Pacers slip to the fourth-worst record, they might lose out on keeping that pick.
Looking ahead, the Pacers traded for Zubac with next season in mind. They envision him setting picks for a rejuvenated lineup featuring a healthy Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles, as well as Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and potentially a new young star from the upcoming draft.