It has been a busy week for the Los Angeles Clippers.
First, they dealt star guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that brought them back Darius Garland, and now they have sent center Ivica Zubac to another Eastern Conference squad.
Los Angeles Clippers Deal Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers
According to Shams Charania, the Clippers have traded Zubac to the Indiana Pacers.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eu6KtWgA9j
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
Per Michael Scotto, the full deal involves several pieces.
“Full Trade: Pacers get Ivica Zubac & Kobe Brown from the Clippers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a Pacers 2026 first (1-4 protected, 10-30 protected or converts to 2031 first if not 2026), 2029 unprotected Pacers first, & a 2028 Mavericks second,” Scotto reported.
Full Trade: Pacers get Ivica Zubac & Kobe Brown from the Clippers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a Pacers 2026 first (1-4 protected, 10-30 protected or converts to 2031 first if not 2026), 2029 unprotected Pacers first, & a 2028 Mavericks second. https://t.co/pLYPqYGk9v
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 5, 2026
That’s not a bad haul for the Clippers despite all of the protections, plus they get a future unprotected first and Mathurin, who has proven to be a good player. Mathurin is having another solid season, putting up 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
Jackson has also had his moments and at 24, is averaging 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 58.2% from the field.
Brown has appeared in 34 games, but has played just 8.7 minutes per game, averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds.
The Clippers have played well recently, nearly erasing their disastrous 6-21 start. They now sit at 23-27, good for ninth in the Western Conference and squarely in the play-in tournament despite losing their last two games.
That’s what makes this move a bit of a surprise.
From the Pacers’ perspective, they find a replacement for Myles Turner, who left for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency last season.
Zubac agreed to a 3-year, $58,650,480 deal with the Clippers before this season, so the Pacers will have him locked in when Tyrese Haliburton returns from injury next year.
That leaves the Pacers with two more years of control of Zubac. It’s estimated he will make $20,340,406 next season and $21,788,566 during the 2027-2028 season before becoming a free agent at 31 years old.
Zubac is having an excellent season, averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 30.9 minutes per game. He’s shooting 61.3% from the field and 70.5% from the charity stripe.
The Pacers did reportedly make an offer for Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler, according to NBA Insider Chris B. Haynes’ sources.
“Indiana Pacers made a run at Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and offered a package highlighted by two unprotected first-round picks,” reports Haynes. “It was declined and Pacers pivoted to Zubac. Kessler will be in demand as a restricted free agent this summer.”
Kessler is obviously a fantastic player, but they likely would have had to pay up big time this summer.
The deal was not totally unexpected as the Pacers had Zubac near the top of their list, according to Jake Fischer of the Stein Line.
“Indiana has Ivica Zubac number one and Daniel Gafford number two,” Fischer explained.
The Indiana Pacers have Ivica Zubac at the top of their center targets, per @JakeLFischer.
“If Zubac is moved it will be to the Pacers.” pic.twitter.com/stKHyLLhjp
— APHoops (@APH00PS) February 5, 2026
“For now, I think If Zubac gets moved it will be to the Pacers but they have a high asking price,” Fischer added.
It looks like the Pacers wound up getting their man, or at least one of them.
Follow our trade deadline tracker to see if anyone else is moved as we approach the trade deadline.
