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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Clippers during warm up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome on November 12, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have been looking for a center heading into next season. With Myles Turner in Milwaukee, they have had to start five different centers this season. None of them has proven to be very good. In fact, Indiana has opted not to start centers in recent games.
Tyrese Haliburton has been out for the entire season with a torn Achilles tendon. Without him, the Pacers have the worst offense in the NBA. Bringing in a center for next year that pairs well with Haliburton has been a top priority for the front office over the last few weeks.
Ivica Zubac was one of the players that they have been pursuing in a trade. They were able to pull off a massive trade to land him right before the trade deadline passed.
GettyLos Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac dunks the ball. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers Land Ivica Zubac in Massive Trade
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Pacers have traded for Zubac as well as Kobe Brown. He becomes part of a roster that made the NBA Finals just one season ago. Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson are the two players in the deal, along with a protected 2026 first-round pick, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, and a second-round pick.
Mathurin has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate for the entire season, since he wasn’t given a contract extension last summer. He was the best trade chip that Indiana possessed heading into this season, and they have decided to cash that chip.
Jackson has not performed well coming off a torn Achilles tendon a year ago. He has struggled to stay on the court, as the fouling issues that have plagued him throughout the entire season have continued. That’s why Indiana wanted to send him away as part of this trade.
The 2026 first-round pick is protected 1-4 and 10-30, meaning that the Clippers only get it if it falls 5-9. Otherwise, it converts into a 2031 unprotected pick, according to Jake Fischer.
GettyLos Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac shoots the ball. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers Will Gear Up for an NBA Finals Run Next Season
This trade is a confirmation that the Pacers are gearing up to be a title contender next season once Haliburton returns to the lineup. Zubac also becomes the best rebounder that Indiana has, which is an area they have struggled in for many years.
Zubac is also a solid rim protector, something they have been missing since Turner left in the summer. Haliburton is also going to be able to give Zubac some easy lobs at the rim, and they will run a lot of pick-and-roll together. Zubac does not shoot 3s, however.
Being able to play five-out is part of the reason why Indiana was able to make a run to the 2025 Finals. It remains to be seen how that will affect the Pacers’ offense heading into next year. Zubac will now have half a season to develop chemistry with the rest of the roster.