The Indiana Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac before the deadline, but it took a bold move that turned disastrous after they gave the Clippers the fifth overall pick in Sunday’s lottery. Indy only kept the pick if they landed in the top four. It went to the Clippers if the Pacers dropped to fifth or sixth. The Pacers needed a starting center to replace Myles Turner as they jump back into contention next season. The risk certainly didn’t pay off. Â
This trade caught plenty of heat before Sunday afternoon. Everyone knew this would be a gap year for Indiana when Tyrese Haliburton was injured in the NBA Finals. The Pacers hoped to add a high lottery pick to their core, but couldn’t resist getting Zubac. They wanted this trade so bad that they were willing to risk losing a top-five selection to acquire him. Sadly, they lost it on Sunday.
The Pacers gave up Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and three draft picks to land Zubac. It was two first-rounders and one second. Indiana hoped to push the firsts until 2029 and 2031, but the lottery had other ideas. Instead, it turned into the fifth pick in 2026 and a likely future star. Â
Ivica Zubac trade becomes a disaster for the Pacers after the draft lottery
Zubac was second-team All-Defense in 2025, and he keeps improving his game. The 29-year-old is in his prime and ready to help the Pacers win. Indy needed a starting center after Myles Turner left in free agency. They were happy to get a difference-maker, but the cost was just too much. Â
Sunday was a massive afternoon for both teams. The Clippers missed the playoffs and traded their lottery pick to the Thunder as part of the Paul George trade in 2019. LA had a virtually coin flip shot to land a top-six pick. It was a risk both sides felt like they had to take. It ultimately worked out best for the Clippers.
Here is a look at the full details of this trade after the draft lottery.
The Clippers will now get an elite prospect to build around. This is a loaded class headlined by five potential stars. LA will get AJ Dybanta, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson, or Kingston Fleming. Indy has their starting center, but they have to be disappointed in missing out on a building block for the next decade.
Haliburton will put the Pacers back into contention next year. They need an impactful center to maximize their star. This was their shot to get one. It came at a great cost, but it takes risks to win a championship.
The Indiana Pacers made a bold trade that backfired big time after the draft lottery. Their gap year turned into a total dud. The Pacers did all that losing to owe the fifth pick to the LA Clippers. It was a nightmare scenario that Indiana put on the table by making this trade. Credit the Pacers for being bold in their build around Tyrese Haliburton. Sadly, the move was an absolute dud.
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