The Indiana Pacers traded for center Ivica Zubac from the Clippers, aiming to strengthen their roster for future seasons. However, the deal has become a burden as they look to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference by 2026-27.
Key points
Pacers traded for Ivica Zubac from Clippers
Deal aimed at strengthening roster for future seasons
Zubac is central to Pacers' plans for 2026-27
Trade has become a burden for the Pacers
Zubac replaces longtime center Myles Turner
Indiana PacersLos Angeles ClippersIvica ZubacMyles Turner
The Pacers were long out of contention by the time they made the deal, but the move was aimed toward next season and beyond with Zubac filling the shoes of longtime starting center Myles Turner.
Zubac remains at the heart of Indiana's plans, but that deal cost the Pacers even more than expected as they try to get back to the top of the East in 2026-27.
Here's a look back at the Zubac deal and how the Pacers fared after it cost them their 2026 first-round pick.
What did the Pacers give up to acquire Ivica Zubac from the Clippers?
The specific details of what the Pacers gave up in the trade for Ivica Zubac are not mentioned, but it has been noted that the deal cost them more than expected.
How does the Ivica Zubac trade affect the Pacers' future plans?
The trade is central to the Pacers' plans as they aim to improve their performance in the Eastern Conference by the 2026-27 season.
Why is the Ivica Zubac trade considered a burden for the Pacers?
The trade is seen as a burden because it has cost the Pacers more than anticipated, complicating their efforts to return to competitiveness.
Who did the Pacers replace with Ivica Zubac after the trade?
Ivica Zubac was brought in to fill the role of longtime starting center Myles Turner, who is no longer with the team.
Related Articles
Sports
Ducati drama: Francesco Bagnaia walks out in anger following dramatic French GP crash
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Former Panthers RB signs with Jaguars on Monday
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
Shohei Ohtani’s Struggles Continue in Puzzling Slump: What’s Going Wrong?
Yahoo Sports·
Sports
IndyCar may have found mainstay with Grand Prix of Arlington returning in 2027: 'Bright future'
IndyCar's Grand Prix of Arlington is back on March 21, 2027!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
White Sox re-sign former Rangers .678 OPS prospect after Astros stint
Yahoo Sports·
Sports·Recap
Why were so many fouls called on WNBA opening weekend? There may be an adjustment period, but ‘this is what we want’
WNBA's opening weekend sees a surge in fouls as teams adjust to new officiating emphasis.
The Clippers received two first-round picks: a protected 2026 first-round pick and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick. The 2026 pick, however, was heavily protected. If it landed between picks 1-4 or 10-30, it would stay with the Pacers and convert to an unprotected 2031 first-round pick.
The Pacers still have their 2031 pick thanks to Sunday's lottery result, but their 2026 pick is gone following a 19-63 season.
The Pacers' first-round pick slipped to No. 5 in the 2026 draft, which means it goes to the Clippers as part of the Zubac trade. Had Indiana landed in the top four, the pick would have stayed with the franchise and become an unprotected 2031 selection for the Clippers.
The Pacers entered the lottery tied with the Wizards and Nets for the best odds to land the No. 1 pick, but those three teams received wildly different outcomes with Washington winning the lottery, Brooklyn falling all the way to No. 6 and Indiana losing its pick entirely by dropping to No. 5.
Pacers president Kevin Pritchard effectively apologized for the trade after Sunday's lottery result, still praising the addition of Zubac but seemingly admitting defeat with the lost pick. "I'm really sorry to all our fans. I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck," Pritchard tweeted.
Here's a breakdown of how the deal impacts both teams now that the 2026 pick is determined.
How trade impacts Pacers
The mental gymnastics required to say this trade actually worked out quite well for the Pacers when their top executive is issuing what can be described as close to a public apology aren't worth it.
While Indiana had as much of a chance at the No. 1 pick as the Wizards, who won the lottery, it was still close to a statistical coinflip that the Pacers would keep the pick. "I thought we were due some luck" isn't a coherent basketball operations strategy, particularly for a franchise that had more luck in the playoffs last year than some franchises have in 50 years.
The Pacers should still be better than the Clippers next season, and Zubac will be a major part of that. With free agency options so limited in the modern NBA, Indiana desperately needed a big man and had to give up something to get one. Taking this kind of risk in a draft so talent-rich that potential All-Stars will be available in the 5-9 range of the first round is a miss, though.
There is no guarantee the player the Pacers would have taken at No. 5 would be more impactful than Zubac next season, but he would be as many as 10 years younger than Zubac for an organization that can compete for a long time with Haliburton still only 26 years old.
The trade made plenty of sense for the Clippers regardless of how the lottery shook out this season, as two future unprotected first-round picks would have been great trade assets at the very least, but the chance to select fifth overall in a talent-rich draft is a dream scenario for a franchise that is entering a transitional period.
Kawhi Leonard's future in L.A. is up in the air. As nice as the deadline additions of Bennedict Mathurin and Darius Garland were, the Clippers are going to need a star sooner rather than later. The No. 5 pick gives them a fighting chance to find that star and at least should net L.A. a building block to accelerate this rebuilding or retooling process.
The Clippers shouldn't expect to become a legitimate contender again overnight, but Tyronn Lue should be excited about the chance to coach up a player like Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff or even Caleb Wilson, depending on how the draft shakes out.
