Everybody knows Ivica Zubac is going to be fantastic with the Indiana Pacers once he finally makes his debut, but he should be even better than advertised, especially once he shares the court with Tyrese Haliburton.
On paper, Zubac will fix a lot of Indiana's problems. He is a fantastic rebounder and an elite interior defender. Across his past two seasons, he has averaged 12.1 rebounds per game and finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024-25.
For reference, the Pacers are currently averaging 42.6 rebounds per game (sixth-worst in the NBA) and are allowing 55.3 points in the paint per game (second-worst, only behind the Dallas Mavericks, who are allowing 55.5 PIP). With Zubac now in the mix, they should be a much more well-rounded team and in better shape to compete for a title.
But beyond all that, the Pacers regularly get the most out of their players, and fans shouldn't expect anything different once Zubac is ready to roll.
Ivica Zubac will be fantastic for the Pacers
There is some concern about whether the former Los Angeles Clippers big man can be a good fit in Indiana's offensive system, and it's easy to see why.
The Pacers rely heavily on pushing the tempo and spacing the floor, which aren't Zubac's strengths. In his 10-year NBA career so far, he is 1-for-12 from deep and hasn't attempted a three-point field goal since the 2022-23 season. This isn't ideal, but the 28-year-old has already revealed that he may be adding a three-point shot to his game, which should excite Pacers fans.
Regardless of whether he can shoot or not, Zubac is still going to provide a lot of value in Indiana offensively. Since the 2021-22 season, he has averaged 12.7 points per game while shooting 63.1% from the field. He has an incredibly efficient scorer in the paint, and he is going to be a fantastic complement alongside Haliburton, especially in pick-and-roll situations.
It should be fun to see how the Pacers look with Zubac moving forward. He is a completely different type of big man that the team is used to, but that's the exciting part. Much of their dynamic will change, and it should open up a lot for them on both sides of the ball.
The Pacers will look to re-enter the title picture as soon as next season. And if Zubac can play up to the level many know he can, they are going to be a dangerous team.