The Indiana Pacers trade for Ivica Zubac has already turned into a complete disaster as the Clippers selected Keaton Wagler at fifth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Indy needed a new starting center after Myles Turner departed in free agency. Zubac is on a team-friendly contract. He gives the Pacers a productive option at the five, but the Clippers forced Indiana to massively overpay.
The Pacers traded a top-four protected pick in 2026 with Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2029 first rounder, and a 2028 second round pick for Zubac and Kobe Brown. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury in the 2025 NBA Finals opened the door for Indiana to tank. They hoped to add another elite prospect to their core, but the dreams were dashed by a nightmare lottery.
The Clippers got a young building block and more from this trade. It was a massive price to pay for a center that has never been an All-Star. Zubac did make second-team All-Defense in 2025, but hasn’t sniffed another honor in his ten-year NBA career. The Pacers bet on winning a lottery coin flip and lost mightily.
Ivica Zubac trade turns into an utter disaster as Clippers draft building block
This trade will only get worse for Indiana. Keaton Wagler is projected to be a starter and a potential All-Star. Mathurin is a restricted free agent, but Pacers fans know he is a bucket. Indiana owes an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and a second-rounder in 2028 still. This was just the first of three draft picks to be finalized.
Here is a closer look at the full details of the trade so far.
Pacers received: Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown
Clippers got: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Keaton Wagler, 2029 1st round pick, 2028 2nd rounder
Keaton Wagler becoming a star would make this trade hurt even worse. The Pacers tanked to have a marquee talent on a rookie scale contract as they attempt to win a championship with Haliburton leading their charge. They had the second-worst record in the NBA just one year after reaching the NBA Finals. Everything was going to plan until their lottery disaster.
Fans know what to expect from Zubac. The 29-year-old is an elite rebounder and interior defender capable of scoring 15 points per game and making a few plays. He won’t be an All-Star, but Zubac has been a starter on a playoff squad in six of the last eight seasons. The seven-footer will help the Pacers win.
The Pacers needed a center after letting Turner walk. Watching the veteran big man depart was the right move, but the cost to land an upgrade was painful. Indy tanked for no reason, and better hope they are in contention in 2029. If not, this deal costs them two lottery picks.
The Indiana Pacers’ trade for Ivica Zubac has turned into an utter disaster after the Clippers drafted Keaton Wagler fifth overall. LA got a future star as the Pacers clearly overpaid for a starting center. It was a bold trade that went bust. Credit to Indiana’s front office for being aggressive in building around Haliburton. Sadly, this one turned painful in a hurry.
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