The Indiana Pacers were eyeing Ivica Zubac as a potential answer to their long-running search for a true anchor in the paint. But according to the latest reporting from Jake Fischer, that door may have just slammed shut. The Clippers, once thought to be potential sellers ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, are apparently holding firm-not just on Zubac, but on James Harden as well.
That’s a significant development for Indiana, who had reportedly been exploring a deal for Zubac as a way to finally move on from the Myles Turner era. At the time those rumors surfaced, the Clippers were floundering.
Their record was among the worst in the league, and it felt like Los Angeles might be ready to hit the reset button. Zubac, a steady defensive presence and one of the more underrated big men in the league, seemed like a logical trade chip if the Clippers were looking to retool.
But a lot can change in a few weeks in the NBA.
The Clippers have caught fire, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. And while their overall record still sits below .500 at 17-23, they’re just a game and a half behind the No. 9 seed in the West. That kind of momentum is hard to ignore, and it’s clearly shifted their mindset from “potential sellers” to “let’s see how far we can take this.”
That shift likely takes Zubac off the table-and that’s a tough blow for Indiana. Zubac would’ve checked a lot of boxes for the Pacers.
He’s been the defensive backbone for L.A. for several seasons, providing reliable rim protection, rebounding, and interior scoring. For a Pacers team that has struggled to control the glass and protect the paint, Zubac would’ve been an immediate and significant upgrade.
So now what?
Zubac may have been the best option, but he wasn’t the only one on Indiana’s radar. The Pacers have also been linked to a handful of other big men-Yves Missi, Nic Claxton, Daniel Gafford, and Walker Kessler among them.
Each brings something different to the table, whether it’s athleticism, rim protection, or upside. There’s no shortage of intriguing names, and with the trade deadline approaching, Indiana still has time to get creative.
But here’s the thing: they don’t have to force it.
The Pacers are in a tricky spot. They’ve got a young core, headlined by Tyrese Haliburton, and a future that still looks promising.
But in the short term, they’re closer to the draft lottery than the playoffs. That’s not necessarily a bad place to be, especially in a year where the upcoming draft class is loaded with high-end talent.
Names like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson could be franchise-changers. If Indiana lands one of them, that’s the kind of move that reshapes a team’s trajectory.
So while trading for a center now might help in the short term, it could also complicate the bigger picture. If Zubac is truly off the market-and it certainly sounds like he is-then the Pacers have to weigh whether it’s worth giving up future assets for a player who might be available in the offseason anyway.
There’s also the very real possibility that making a win-now move could jeopardize their lottery odds. And in a draft like this one, that’s not a risk to take lightly.
Bottom line: Indiana should keep working the phones. Explore every option.
If the right deal presents itself, pull the trigger. But if it doesn’t?
There’s no shame in standing pat, letting the season play out, and reloading in the summer-especially with a healthy Haliburton expected to return and a strong draft class on the horizon.
The Zubac dream may be over, but the Pacers’ long-term vision doesn’t have to change. It’s about patience, timing, and making the right move-not just the fastest one.