Any time a long-standing player leaves an NBA team for another, there are bound to be emotions involved. That was certainly the case when the Los Angeles Clippers traded center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers.
The move came despite Zubac being under a three-year contract with the Clippers that he signed in 2024. What followed after Zubac learned of the trade underscored just how emotional the moment was.
Clippers President Reflects on Emotions Behind Ivica Zubac Trade
When asked about Zubac’s immediate reaction after learning he had been traded, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank reflected on the moment while speaking with reporters. According to Clippers beat writer Joey Linn, Frank said Zubac spent six to eight hours at the team facility, bidding farewell to members of the organization.
“There were a lot of tears,” Frank said.
Lawrence Frank said Ivica Zubac was in the Clippers facility for 6-8 hours the day he was traded saying goodbye to everyone in the organization.
“There were a lot of tears.”
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 9, 2026
Zubac’s three-year, $58,650,480 extension kicked in this season. Indiana will now have Zubac under contract for the next two years, including next season, when injured guard Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return.
Salary projections show Zubac earning $20,340,406 in the 2026-27 season and $21,788,566 in the 2027-28 season, after which he would be eligible for free agency at age 31.
In exchange for Zubac, the Pacers parted with Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first‑round selections, and one second‑round pick. One of the first‑rounders is this year’s Pacers pick, protected for Nos. 1‑4 and 10‑30. That protection means a bit of lottery misfortune could make the Pacers’ rebuilding season advantageous only for the Clippers. If the 2026 pick does not convey, it converts to an unprotected first‑rounder in 2031. The package also includes an unprotected 2029 Pacers first‑rounder.
Regarding Indiana’s priorities at the trade deadline, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported, “Indiana has Ivica Zubac No. 1 and Daniel Gafford No. 2.”
During the 2025-26 season, Zubac is averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 61.3% from the field. He was originally selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. After three seasons with the Lakers, Zubac joined the Clippers via trade during the 2018-19 season.
Zubac is currently dealing with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for the Pacers’ game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
For his career, Zubac is averaging 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 61.6% from the field and 72.4% from the free-throw line.
