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Jamal Collier
Multiple Authors
The Indiana Pacers are set to acquire center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers, sending Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick in return, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania on Thursday.
This acquisition provides Indiana with a new starting center in Zubac, addressing the gap left by center Myles Turner’s offseason departure. The Pacers currently have a 13-38 record this season, one of the lowest in the NBA, but bringing in Zubac could provide long-term benefits for the team.
Zubac, who will be turning 29 next month, is currently averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 61% this season. He remains under contract until the end of the 2027-28 season and will serve as a valuable pick-and-roll partner for Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who is expected to return next season from a torn Achilles injury.
Alongside Zubac, Indiana also acquired third-year guard Kobe Brown in the transaction.
The Los Angeles Clippers will receive a 2026 first-round pick from the Pacers, which is protected from picks Nos. 1-4 and 10-30, along with an unprotected first-round pick from Indiana in 2029. If the 2026 pick does not transfer, it converts into an unprotected first-rounder in 2031.
Bennedict Mathurin, 23, could enhance the Clippers’ youth movement. Recently, Los Angeles also acquired guard Darius Garland from the Cavaliers in exchange for James Harden. Mathurin is averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 43% this season across 28 games.
Mathurin is entering the final year of his rookie contract after failing to secure an extension with Indiana over the offseason and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
