The Indiana Pacers have made a significant move to stabilize their frontcourt, acquiring veteran center Ivica Zubac from the LA Clippers in a multi-player deal that signals a clear shift in direction. After months of patchwork solutions at the five, Indiana now has its anchor in the middle - and a proven one at that.
In return, the Clippers are getting a promising package: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and multiple first-round picks. The Pacers also receive Kobe Brown as part of the trade. It’s a big swing from Indiana, but one that makes a lot of sense given their current roster construction and the glaring need that’s existed since Myles Turner left in free agency last summer.
Let’s break down the full trade details. The Clippers will get Indiana’s unprotected 2029 first-round pick - a valuable asset in today’s league where long-term flexibility is everything.
They’ll also receive the Pacers’ 2026 first-round pick, but only if it lands between picks No. 5 and No. 9.
If not, that pick rolls over into a fully unprotected first-rounder in 2031. The Pacers also pick up a 2028 second-rounder originally from the Mavericks.
For Indiana, this trade is about more than just filling a hole. It’s about pairing their franchise cornerstone, Tyrese Haliburton, with a center who complements his game.
Haliburton, who’s expected back next season after recovering from a torn Achilles, thrives in the pick-and-roll. Zubac gives him a reliable partner in that action - a big who can set hard screens, roll with purpose, and finish around the rim.
Zubac is no fringe addition. He’s in his 10th NBA season and still only 28, turning 29 in March.
He’s coming off a career year, averaging 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game - all career highs. He was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Team for the first time last season, a testament to the growth in his game on both ends of the floor.
What sets Zubac apart isn’t just the numbers, though. It’s the way he impacts the game without needing the ball in his hands.
He’s one of the league’s best offensive rebounders and a dependable rim protector who rarely gets into foul trouble. That kind of discipline and presence in the paint has been missing for Indiana all season.
After Turner’s departure, the Pacers tried a center-by-committee approach. Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, Tony Bradley, and James Wiseman all got looks, but none could consistently hold down the position.
The result? One of the league’s worst records and a clear need for stability in the middle.
Zubac brings that, and then some.
His offensive game took another step forward after the Clippers added James Harden in late 2023. With Harden drawing attention on the perimeter, Zubac found more space to operate inside, and he made the most of it. His touch around the rim and improved passing made him a more complete offensive threat, and his chemistry with Harden in the pick-and-roll was a key piece of LA’s attack.
Financially, Zubac is locked in through the 2027-28 season at $18.1 million this year - a fair price for a starting-caliber big who contributes on both ends and has playoff experience. This isn’t a short-term rental; it’s a long-term investment in a player who fits the Pacers’ timeline and style of play.
For the Clippers, this trade marks the end of an era. Zubac was their longest-tenured player, having arrived in 2019 in what turned out to be a steal of a deal with the Lakers. That trade - Zubac and Michael Beasley for Mike Muscala - raised eyebrows at the time, and it didn’t take long for LA to realize they’d landed a gem.
Zubac became a fixture in the Clippers’ rotation almost immediately. He spent his early years splitting time with Montrezl Harrell and Serge Ibaka, but by March 2021, he had locked down the starting job. He brought consistency to a team that often shuffled lineups due to injuries and load management, and his ability to anchor the defense made him a key part of their identity.
Now, the Clippers are pivoting. By bringing in Mathurin and Jackson, they’re adding youth and potential.
Mathurin, in particular, is a high-upside wing who can score and defend, while Jackson offers athleticism and shot-blocking. The picks give LA flexibility moving forward - whether to develop talent or package them in another deal down the line.
But make no mistake: this trade is as much about the Pacers’ present as it is about the Clippers’ future. Indiana is betting that Zubac can be the missing piece alongside Haliburton, and that his presence can help lift a young team that’s been searching for its identity since Turner’s departure.
It’s a bold move - and one that could pay off in a big way if Zubac continues to play at the level he showed last season.