As the NBA trade deadline came and went, the Los Angeles Clippers made a move that turned some heads - not just for who they brought in, but for who they let go. Ivica Zubac, the quietly effective center who had become a fixture in Ty Lue’s rotation, is now a member of the Indiana Pacers. It’s a shift that signals not just a roster change, but a broader recalibration for both franchises.
Zubac, now 28 and eight years into his NBA career, had been the longest-tenured Clipper under Lue. He wasn't flashy, but he was dependable - the kind of big man who does the dirty work, protects the rim, and crashes the boards with purpose.
That kind of presence doesn’t always make headlines, but it anchors winning basketball. Now, the Pacers are hoping he can bring that same steadiness to Indiana - once he’s back on the floor.
Right now, though, Zubac hasn’t suited up for his new team. He’s dealing with an ankle injury, and while that might sound minor on the surface, the Pacers are playing it safe.
During a recent Knicks-Pacers broadcast, Zubac was spotted on the bench in street clothes, prompting a bit of on-air banter. One Knicks announcer questioned his absence, and Clyde Frazier chimed in with a comment that raised eyebrows: “It’s called tanking, folks.”
That one-liner might’ve been delivered with a wink, but it touched a nerve in the ongoing league-wide conversation about teams prioritizing draft position over immediate wins. The Pacers, after all, are sitting near the bottom of the standings with just 13 wins - the second-worst record in the league. And with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL, Indiana’s focus has clearly shifted toward the future.
Still, labeling Zubac’s absence as part of a “tanking” strategy might be oversimplifying the situation. Head coach Rick Carlisle addressed the issue directly, saying, “You admire the guy for slugging through, but, at this point, it makes zero sense for him to be out on the floor in an NBA game if he’s not feeling as close to 100% as possible.” Carlisle made it clear that Zubac won’t play in the two games leading into the All-Star break and emphasized that the team will reassess after that.
And here’s the thing - Zubac has earned the benefit of the doubt. He’s played in 95% of his games since entering the league, and according to Carlisle, he even pushed to come back early from this current injury.
That’s not the profile of a player looking to sit out for the sake of draft odds. That’s a competitor who wants to contribute.
When healthy, Zubac brings a lot to the table. He’s averaging 14.4 points and 11 rebounds this season, numbers that put him firmly in the top-10 conversation among NBA centers.
His combination of size, touch around the rim, and rebounding instincts make him a valuable piece - particularly next to a dynamic playmaker like Haliburton. The Pacers are clearly thinking long-term here.
With Haliburton and Zubac as a potential inside-out duo, Indiana has the foundation for something meaningful - once everyone’s back and healthy.
As for the Clippers, their roster overhaul included shipping James Harden to Cleveland in another headline-grabbing move. It’s clear they’re retooling on the fly, trying to balance win-now urgency with future flexibility. Whether these moves pay off remains to be seen, but the Clippers are betting that new roles and fresh chemistry can reignite their push in the West.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are playing the long game. Zubac may not be on the court yet, but when he does suit up, he could be a key figure in Indiana’s next chapter. For now, the Pacers are staying patient - and hoping that patience pays off.