The Indiana Pacers have had a rough go of it this season - there’s no sugarcoating that. At 13-38, they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and only the Kings and Pelicans are faring worse league-wide. But context matters, and in Indiana’s case, it’s everything.
Injuries have ravaged this roster all year, and the absence of Tyrese Haliburton - the team’s heartbeat - has been a brutal blow. Combine that with the departure of Myles Turner, a longtime defensive anchor, and it’s not hard to see why the Pacers have struggled to find their footing.
But despite the current record, this is not a franchise stuck in reverse. In fact, the Pacers just made a move that signals they’re already gearing up for a serious bounce-back.
Enter Ivica Zubac.
Indiana swung big at the trade deadline, landing the 28-year-old center in a deal that could pay dividends as soon as next season. For a team looking to re-establish itself as a contender, Zubac brings exactly the kind of skill set that can stabilize both ends of the floor.
Let’s start with what he does defensively. Zubac might not fill up the box score with blocks, but don’t let that fool you - he’s one of the best interior defenders in the league.
He finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, thanks to his ability to protect the paint with verticality, positioning, and toughness. He’s a wall around the rim, and his presence alone should help tighten up a Pacers defense that’s struggled to get stops this year.
Offensively, he’s just as impactful - but in a quieter, more nuanced way. Zubac is an elite screen-setter, a trait that becomes especially valuable when paired with a dynamic pick-and-roll guard like Haliburton.
He’s also a high-efficiency finisher, shooting 61.6% from the field over his career, and his 11 rebounds per game this season would lead the Pacers. This is a guy who does the dirty work and thrives in it.
And speaking of Haliburton - the Pacers’ ceiling is directly tied to his return. While there’s still some uncertainty about how quickly he’ll get back to his pre-injury form, just having him back on the floor will be a game-changer.
He’s one of the best playmakers in the league, a true offensive engine who elevates everyone around him. With Haliburton running the show and Zubac anchoring the middle, Indiana suddenly looks a whole lot more dangerous.
But the optimism doesn’t stop there.
Despite trading their first-round pick in the Zubac deal, the Pacers structured the protections wisely. The pick is protected if it lands in the top four - and with their current record, that’s a real possibility.
That means Indiana could still walk away from this draft with a top-tier prospect like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, or Caleb Wilson. Add that kind of young talent to a core of Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and now Zubac, and the Pacers are building something with staying power.
It’s easy to forget, but this team was just one win away from an NBA championship less than a year ago. The conference is wide open, and with a healthy roster and a few key pieces in place, Indiana is poised to re-enter the conversation - not as a rebuilding team, but as a legitimate threat.
Zach Lowe put it well on a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast: “Look out for the Pacers, man. They're sort of sight unseen, out of sight, out of mind… There's one powerhouse that's been absent the whole year, and they're already loading up for next year.”
That’s the reality in Indiana right now. The present may be tough, but the blueprint for the future is clear - and it’s compelling.
The Pacers aren’t just looking to recover. They’re looking to remind the league who they are.
And when this team is whole again, that reminder could come fast and loud.