The Indiana Pacers made a blockbuster trade at the deadline to acquire center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. Zubac is one of the best centers in the league, averaging 14.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 59.8 percent from the field in the 2025-26 season.
One of the pieces in the deal to acquire Zubac was a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, which the Clippers will not receive as part of their punishment for circumventing the salary cap to sign Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA had five first-round picks taken away from the Clippers, including the pick from Indiana. However, that doesn't change things for the Pacers, as they will not receive that pick back; it will simply not exist.
Heading into the 2026-27 season, Indiana could be contenders with Zubac as a core piece of the starting lineup. He will provide defense and strong rebounding to the Pacers alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.
Zubac was named to the All-Defensive Team in the 2024-25 season, as he averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 62.8 percent from the floor.
He will be the defensive anchor for Indiana and fit well as the starting center. While one of the picks Indiana gave up for Zubac ended up being the fifth overall pick, the Clippers won't end up getting the 2029 first-round pick.
The Pacers have built a team with a ton of depth, and with Haliburton returning, they could be true contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Haliburton has proven to be an elite playmaker and shooter, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old floor general also shot efficiently, shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three.
Haliburton's playmaking should help Zubac get easy looks around the room and improve as an offensive player.
Although Indiana won't get their pick back from the Clippers, it seems the Pacers have emerged as the clear winners of the Zubac trade following the NBA's punishment of Los Angeles.