Teams seeking a center upgrade have found a hard answer to their search this offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers traded two first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps for Walker Kessler, along with signing him to a massive four year/nearly 140 million deal. The Boston Celtics spent a decent sum on Mitchell Robinson.
No one found an option they loved – or so it seems – on the path to filling a hole that many fans claim is infinitely replaceable.
If the Indiana Pacers had waited to strike on an Ivica Zubac trade and had missed out on him this offseason, they'd likely be in a similar place to their contemporaries. If we take a look at the potential options, it becomes pretty clear Indiana made the right choice, even with the trade's high cost.
Additionally, it is Zubac's presence, along with Tyrese Haliburton's return, that has many fans expecting an immediate return to championship contention. That would not be possible with any of the options they would have right now.
Right now, the only real center option still available on the open market is restricted free agent Jalen Duren, who likely wants as much or more than Kessler even after he flamed out in the playoffs. Detroit, to that point, will likely not be letting Duren walk and is just waiting for his asking price to come down.
If you factor in the three major center moves this offseason (Robinson to the Celtics, Kessler to the Lakers, and Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls), it becomes abundantly clear that the decade of undervaluing the center position is rapidly coming to an end.
Robinson is probably the best deal in the group. He is likely the best offensive rebounder in the league and will factor into a Celtics system that values winning the possession margin. Claxton was acquired for cap space and, while he may be negative value on his deal and has struggled mightily in past years, his spot as a flyer buy-low option isn't as damning as the last of the three.
The Walker Kessler trade is probably the best argument that Indiana struck at the right time with Zubac. The Lakers gave up more pick equity (in volume, at least) for the Utah Jazz center, while also handing out a truly baffling contract.
Given the choice between trading Keaton Wagler, a future first, and a whole lot of nothing for Zubac and crippling amounts of firsts for Kessler, the choice seems obvious.
Zubac is not a Pacer today if Indy had waited
The Boston Celtics had interest in Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline last year, but lacked the draft picks to make a move for him. When the Pacers offered their top-four protected pick, they had already won the contest.
However, this summer, the Celtics moved off of MVP finisher Jaylen Brown for two first-round picks, including the Clippers' own 2028 pick. It seems pretty clear that those picks would've been rerouted for the Croatian big man.
Comparatively, if the Pacers had waited, they likely would've had to move off of more first-rounders than the two they moved. That would leave them with far less flexibility than what they have now.
Not only was the trade a great one, but it also came at the perfect time.
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