The Indiana Pacers have acquired Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown from the Los Angeles Clippers in a package including Benedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first round picks and a second round picks. Indiana entered the trade deadline period wanting to upgrade at the center position ahead of Tyree Haliburton’s return from his torn Achilles next season.
The 2026 first rounder sent by the Pacers is protected 1-4 and 10-30. If the pick doesn’t convey, the Pacers will send an unprotected 2031 first rounder. The other pick is an unprotected 2029 first rounder.
Zubac is signed through the 2027-28 season with his three-year, $58.6 million extension signed in 2024. Zubac is one of the more affordable quality centers in the NBA and is currently ranked 40th in RealGM’s Player Value Index. Zubac is represented by Jared Mucha.
Zubac is averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.9 minutes across 43 games this season.
The Pacers were also engaged with the Dallas Mavericks on a trade for Daniel Gafford.
Mathurin, who is represented by Nima Namakian, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Mathurin is merging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.8 minutes in 28 games this season with the Pacers. Mathurin was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Arizona.