The Los Angeles Clippers continued their roster overhaul at Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, shipping center Ivica Zubac and forward Kobe Brown to the frontcourt-needy Indiana Pacers.
In return, LA landed wing Bennedict Mathurin, big man Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks (2026 protected and 2029 unprotected), and one second-round pick, further signaling its pivot toward the future after Tuesday’s James Harden-for-Darius Garland blockbuster guard swap.
Let’s break down Thursday’s deal and grade it from both sides.
Ivica Zubac Fills Major Frontcourt Void for Pacers
After making a surprise 2025 NBA Finals run, Indiana (13-38) is in the midst of a gap year, largely due to star point guard Tyrese Haliburton sitting out the entire season with a torn right Achilles tendon.
However, longtime starting center Myles Turner’s unexpected free agency departure to the Milwaukee Bucks has also contributed to the team’s downfall. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has often been forced to experiment with different starting lineups, given his array of underwhelming options at the five spot.
Zubac, a 28-year-old nightly double-double threat who was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season, should be able to fill Turner’s void and then some, giving Indiana a two-way force in the interior alongside star forward Pascal Siakam.
The Pacers took a slight risk, as per ESPN’s Shams Charania, their 2026 selection is only protected from picks Nos. 1 to 4 and 10 to 30. They currently possess the league’s third-worst record, meaning they could be in danger of forfeiting their pick if the lottery balls don’t bounce their way.
Still, Zubac’s strong fit, age, and team-friendly three-year, $58.7 million contract make him worth the gamble.
Grade: A-
Clippers Add Depth, Stock Assets for the Future
LA had been in the midst of a midseason resurgence before its trade deadline shake-up, overcoming a disastrous 6-21 start to climb into the Western Conference play-in picture (23-27). Still, few believed in the veteran squad’s chances of making serious noise in the playoffs.
Replenishing its depleted draft capital could go a long way toward giving Clippers fans hope for the future. Meanwhile, Mathurin offers upside as a scoring wing who can replace some of Bradley Beal’s (hip) lost production.
That said, LA has put itself in an unenviable situation. It likely hurt its postseason chances amid superstar forward Kawhi Leonard’s dominant season, all the while not possessing the rights to its own draft pick this year, putting tanking off the table.
Jackson will likely split center duties with veteran stretch five Brook Lopez, offering rim protection and serving as a lob threat, though neither big man comes close to Zubac’s output.
The Clippers’ final trade grade will hinge on whether the Pacers’ 2026 first-rounder falls in the 5 to 9 range, as adding a high-level prospect in a stacked draft class would surely boost their evaluation.
If not, the pick converts to an unprotected first in 2031, which could stand to be far less valuable if Indiana returns to perennial playoff contention.
Grade: B
