The Indiana Pacers make a move designed to pay off next season, obtaining center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Pacers also got little-used wing Kobe Brown, while sending Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson to L.A. Also, three draft picks went to the Clippers, with a twist. If the Pacers pick 1-4 or 10-30 in this summer’s NBA Draft, the Pacers keep it, delaying the selection going to the Clippers until 2031. If Indiana’s pick comes in at Nos. 5-9 during the draft lottery, Los Angeles gets the 2026 pick.
Zubac should help Indiana’s interior defense improve. He was a second-team all-defense performer last season and averages double-digit rebounds. His offensive game is strictly near the basket, but the Pacers have Jay Huff as a change-of-pace outside threat.
The Pacers believe that center combination, the return of Tyrese Haliburton from injury and a core including Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith will propel them back into contention. Also, Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell are expected back in 2026-27.
NBA Draft grades: Pacers get Ivica Zubac for Bennedict Mathurin
Sam Quinn, CBS Sports: B for Pacers, B+ for Clippers
“At this point, he’s a better player than Turner was last season, though he’s stylistically quite different. Indiana will have to adjust to having a center that does not shoot 3s, as that spacing meant a good deal to their offense. Zubac isn’t an obvious fit in Indiana’s up-tempo system either having spent most of his career playing for the slow, plodding Clippers. His stellar passing and screening, however, should fit like a glove in (coach) Rick Carlisle’s free-wheeling offense, and his excellent floater is a great end-of-clock release valve for an offense that doesn’t have a typical one-on-one shotmaker.”
Kevin Pelton, ESPN: B for Pacers, A- for Clippers
“Zubac has dropped off a bit this season, blocking shots less frequently. He remains an above-average starting center in his prime (he will turn 29 in March, a year younger than Turner) signed to a favorable contract that pays him less than $20 million on average through 2027-28. Adding Zubac returns Indiana to having a rock-solid starting five that should contend in the Eastern Conference next spring.”
Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation: D- for Pacers, A+ for Clippers
“What a great trade by the Clippers, and an incredibly reckless deal by the Pacers. Zubac is really good, but the 2029 unprotected first alone should have been enough for him. Including a top-4 protected 2026 first-round pick that turns into an unprotected 2031 first-rounder if it lands in the protected zone is incomprehensible. What a steal for a Clippers team that was going nowhere. The Pacers better pray for lottery luck to land Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer. If Indiana doesn’t hit it up in the 2026 lottery, this is one of the worst trades possible.”
Zach Harper, The Athletic: A for Pacers, B for Clippers
“Indiana has been desperate to find a big man to replace Myles Turner, who left for Milwaukee this past summer. The Pacers have done just that and actually upgraded from what Turner gave them.”
Stephen Noh, Sporting News: B for Pacers, B for Clippers
“Zubac may require Rick Carlisle to institute some stylistic changes. He isn’t the stretch center that Myles Turner was during their Finals run, and he’s not the fastest guy in the world either. If any coach can figure it out though, it’s Carlisle. At the end of the day, this is a great talent play at a high price.”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBA trade grades: Pacers get Ivica Zubac for Bennedict Mathurin; is it ‘obvious fit’ or a ‘reckless deal?’
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
