Indiana Pacers Acquire Center Ivica Zubac In Trade With LA Clippers

Pacers send Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and draft picks to LA in exchange for Zubac and Kobe Brown.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:47pm

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The Indiana Pacers have agreed to a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire veteran center Ivica Zubac. In exchange, the Pacers are sending young players Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, along with multiple draft picks, to the Clippers.

Why it matters

The Pacers were in need of a physical, defensive-minded center to anchor their frontcourt, and Zubac fits that bill. The trade signals Indiana's commitment to building a contender around Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, with Zubac providing an experienced presence in the middle.

The details

Zubac, 28, is averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game this season for the Clippers. He finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting last year and made the NBA's Second-Team All-Defense. The Pacers will also receive 26-year-old forward Kobe Brown in the deal. Indiana is sending the Clippers Mathurin, Jackson, their 2026 first-round pick (protected 1-4 and 10-30), their 2029 first-round pick (unprotected), and a 2028 second-round pick.

  • The trade was agreed to just before the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

The players

Ivica Zubac

A 28-year-old center who is considered one of the top defensive centers in the NBA. He has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.

Bennedict Mathurin

A young guard drafted by the Pacers who was heading towards free agency with an uncertain future in Indiana.

Isaiah Jackson

A young and athletic center drafted by the Pacers who is also being traded to the Clippers as part of the deal.

Kobe Brown

A 26-year-old forward who was the last pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and is being acquired by the Pacers along with Zubac.

Rick Carlisle

The head coach of the Indiana Pacers who discussed the trade and what Zubac will bring to the team.

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What they’re saying

“Zubac is a guy that is a tremendous center. He's a top 10 center in the NBA. We have a great need [at that position]. He brings things to the center position that we haven't had in my tenure here.”

— Rick Carlisle, Head Coach, Indiana Pacers

“This will help our rebounding. We obviously feel the fit is good with Tyrese [Haliburton] Pascal [Siakam] and our other veteran guys and know that he will be very warmly embraced by our fan base.”

— Rick Carlisle, Head Coach, Indiana Pacers

What’s next

The Pacers will look to integrate Zubac into their lineup as they make a push towards the playoffs and try to build on their recent success, which includes reaching the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and 2025 NBA Finals.

The takeaway

This trade signals the Pacers' commitment to building a contender around their young core of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, with the veteran Zubac providing an experienced defensive presence in the middle to complement their talented backcourt and wing players.