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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers controls the ball against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Intuit Dome on February 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have been trying to find a center to trade for. After letting Myles Turner go in free agency, Indiana has struggled to find a consistent starting center. They have had five different centers start this season, and they have recently started no center at all.
Indiana is one of the worst teams in the league. Right now, they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. They are poised to have one of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. They are hoping to get a top-three pick so that they can contend for a title next year.
Fixing the center position is still something they need to do before they can get back into title contention. They have reportedly been one of the top suitors for Clippers center Ivica Zubac.
GettyLos Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac looks to pass. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Pacers Reportedly a Top Suitor for Ivica Zubac
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Pacers are “prime suitors” for Zubac. They are still trying anything to get Zubac. The Clippers have already made a big trade by sending James Harden to Cleveland in exchange for Darius Garland.
The Pacers are trying to land a center before the trade deadline while they still have some trade pieces to use. Bennedict Mathurin is the most obvious trade piece. They will likely lose him in the summer since they did not offer him a contract extension last offseason.
Mathurin is still a solid scorer and someone who can put up points in a hurry. He is also younger than Zubac, which is something that could interest Los Angeles. The Pacers will likely have to offer multiple first-round draft picks to also get something done.
Zubac is likely not the only center that the Pacers are pursuing. While he might be their top candidate, they have to have other options. If they don’t make a move at the deadline, they will be forced to make a trade in the summer.
GettyIndiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam dribbles the ball. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Pacers Have Been Quiet at the Trade Deadline
Indiana has never had the number-one overall pick, so they won’t entertain any offer to trade this year’s pick. That pick is the best chance they have of landing that coveted top spot. That could be part of the reason why Indian has been quiet at the trade deadline thus far.
The Pacers have the worst offense in the league without Tyrese Haliburton on the court. Without him, they have not been able to generate as many easy buckets. Making a trade for a center wouldn’t be a play for the rest of this year. It would be setting them up to contend next year.
Kevin Pritchard is not afraid to make big trades, as he has shown over the last few years. If he believes the Pacers have a shot to win a title by adding a specific player, he is not afraid to give up future assets to get that player.