Isaiah Jackson breaks silence after sudden trade from Pacers

Just before Thursday's trade deadline, the Indiana Pacers traded Isaiah Jackson and Bennedict Mathurin (along with a handful of picks) to the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. And shortly after news of the trade broke, Jackson took to social media to send one final message to Pacers fans: "It’s been real Indy❤️."

The Michigan native had spent his entire career with the Pacers up to this point. In parts of five seasons with the team, he averaged 7 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 59.3% from the field.

Jackson had long been a solid backup in Indiana behind Myles Turner, and he quickly became a fan favorite because of the energy he brought whenever he stepped onto the floor. But now, he will have another opportunity to make a name for himself and establish himself as a legitimate contributor in the NBA in Los Angeles.

Isaiah Jackson's days in Indiana were numbered

The Pacers trading Jackson both is and isn't much of a surprise.

On one hand, there had been numerous reports indicating that they were looking to upgrade at center. And given that they clearly prioritized Jay Huff in the lineup over Jackson, that made him the odd man out.

But on the other hand, it was pretty obvious that the Pacers were big fans of Jackson's. They signed him to a three-year, $21 million deal last offseason, even though he was fresh off an Achilles tear, and they gave him the starting center job on opening night. However, he was mostly a big disappointment, and it quickly became evident he wasn't going to be a long-term solution.

The Kentucky alum was never a floor-spacer, and his foul troubles and lack of discipline never went away. Additionally, while he was capable of providing solid minutes, he wasn't someone the Pacers could trust to elevate his game against some of the best centers in the league. And come playoff time, that was going to be a big problem if they didn't make a move.

Regardless, there's a lot to like about Jackson, and fans should be excited to see what he can do in a Clippers uniform. He is incredibly athletic, and his energy and high motor didn't go anywhere even after his Achilles injury. Just like he was a fan favorite in Indiana, he will have a great opportunity to become one in Los Angeles as well.