The Los Angeles Clippers didn’t make it easy, but they eventually pulled the trigger on a deal that sends Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers - a move that nearly didn’t happen thanks to some last-minute price hiking.
Here’s how it went down: As the trade deadline approached, the Clippers began to raise their asking price for the 28-year-old center. Zubac had drawn interest from several teams, but Indiana was one of the most serious suitors.
Still, even the Pacers had to pause and consider whether the rising cost was worth it. According to reports, some within the Clippers' organization were actually hoping the Pacers would walk away - not because they didn’t want to deal Zubac, but because they weren’t sure they could get the value they wanted.
In other words, if Indiana didn’t bite, L.A. would’ve been content to keep their big man.
But the Pacers didn’t flinch.
They got their guy, and now Zubac is heading east, joining a rising team that’s already packed with talent - and he’s clearly excited about the opportunity. Speaking at his introductory press conference, Zubac didn’t hold back when talking about his new teammates, especially All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
“I’m very excited that I’m on a team with a point guard like him,” Zubac said. “Obviously, I’ve played with some great point guards, and he’s going to be another name on that list. He’s probably one of the best in the league - the way he moves the ball, involves his teammates, and leads the guys on the court.”
That’s high praise, and it’s coming from a player who’s shared the floor with some elite talent during his time in Los Angeles. But Haliburton’s impact on the game goes beyond the box score.
He’s a connector - the kind of floor general who makes everyone around him better. For a traditional center like Zubac, who thrives in pick-and-roll sets and relies on smart guards to find him in the paint, this pairing could be a seamless fit.
And it’s not just Haliburton. Zubac also joins a frontcourt that features Pascal Siakam, giving the Pacers a versatile and experienced big-man rotation that can hold its own on both ends of the floor. Remember, Zubac earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2025 - he’s no slouch when it comes to protecting the rim and anchoring a defense.
Now, the question becomes how quickly he can integrate into Indiana’s system. The Pacers play fast and share the ball, and Zubac’s ability to set hard screens, finish around the rim, and clean the glass should complement that style nicely.
He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact - and with Haliburton orchestrating the offense, he won’t have to go looking for touches. They’ll come naturally.
For Indiana, this move signals a clear intent to compete. They didn’t just add depth - they added a proven, playoff-tested big who can contribute right away. And for Zubac, it’s a fresh start in a system that could bring out the best in his game.
There’s still plenty of basketball left this season, but with Zubac now in the mix, the Pacers just got a little tougher - and a lot more interesting.