The Indiana Pacers are living in two very different realities at once. On one hand, this season has completely fallen apart. On the other, the franchise just made a move that screams long-term belief. Less than a year after pushing all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 2025, Indiana is staring at the worst record in the league at 13-28. Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles injury flipped everything upside down, and once the losses started, they never really stopped.
But the Pacers did not act like a team resigned to misery at the trade deadline. Instead, they took a swing at stability, identity, and the future. That move caught the attention of someone who knows Indiana basketball as well as anyone right now. Caitlin Clark saw the deal, looked ahead a couple of seasons, and didn’t hesitate to dream big.
Pacers 2027 world champions
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) February 5, 2026
A move that says this is not a teardown
When Indiana traded for Ivica Zubac, it was not about saving a lost season. It was about fixing a glaring hole that has haunted the roster since Myles Turner left. The Pacers tried to patch things together at center, but nothing stuck. Night after night, the paint was exposed and the team lacked any real physical presence inside.
Zubac changes that immediately. He gives Indiana a legitimate starting center, a reliable rebounder, and someone who can anchor a defense that has struggled badly. More importantly, he is under contract long enough to matter. This was not a short-term rental. It was a statement that the Pacers believe their window can reopen quickly once the roster is whole again.
Why Caitlin Clark believes in the bigger picture
Caitlin Clark is heading into her third season with the Indiana Fever, and she has become one of the most recognizable basketball voices in the state. So when she reacted to the Pacers’ deadline move with optimism instead of frustration, it stood out.
Clark’s 2027 prediction might sound bold given how ugly this season has been, but it comes from reading the situation clearly. The Pacers are not drifting. They are positioning. Zubac fills a need they ignored for too long, and the timing lines up with what really matters next.
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Everything hinges on Tyrese Haliburton’s return
This season was effectively sunk the moment Tyrese Haliburton went down. Without him, Indiana lost its pace, creativity, and late-game confidence. The offense stalled, the defense cracked, and close games slipped away. It is hard to judge the roster fairly when the engine is missing.
That context matters. The Pacers did not suddenly forget how to build a contender. They were forced into survival mode. The Zubac trade is the clearest sign yet that the organization expects Haliburton to come back strong and wants the pieces around him ready when that happens.
Why 2027 does not feel that far away
From the outside, it feels strange to talk about the future when the present looks so bleak. But the NBA moves fast. A healthy Haliburton, a settled frontcourt, and a smart addition or two can change everything in a hurry. Indiana already proved in 2025 that it can win at the highest level with the right mix.
Caitlin Clark’s prediction is not about ignoring this season. It is about understanding it. The Pacers hit rock bottom, made a necessary correction, and are building forward again. If the pieces fall into place, 2027 might not sound wild at all.
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