Trading for Ivica Zubac was a move the Indiana Pacers needed to make. They were in desperate need of a new starting center following Myles Turner's departure last summer, and he should be a fantastic fit in Indiana's system, especially with Tyrese Haliburton as his point guard.
However, it was still a risky move for Indiana, largely because of who the team had to give up.
To land Zubac, the Pacers traded Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and their 2026 first-round pick (with heavy protections). And according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, rival teams around the league feel that they gave up too much to acquire the 28-year-old and that they could have waited until the offseason to land their new starting center.
"Numerous contacts with rival teams have suggested to me that the Pacers traded away too much for Zubac and could have waited until the summer to see what other options would have presented themselves, but I continue to hear that Utah is determined to retain restricted free agent-to-be Walker Kessler," Fischer wrote.
"The Pacers have long coveted Kessler, sources say, but I would counter the skeptics and say that there is tangible wisdom to Indiana getting its frontcourt business done now if its other preferred target is not likely to be available."
Did the Pacers give up too much for Ivica Zubac?
To give something, you have to get something. It's easy to forget because he hasn't seen the court in nearly a month, but Zubac is one of the best big men in the NBA. He is an elite interior defender, a fantastic rebounder, and can score very efficiently in the paint. Additionally, he has improved as a passer and should be a great fit in Indiana's system.
In order for Indiana to get him, they had to give up a lot of value in return. But, though it is way too early to say the Pacers gave up too much, as it stands, it could be trending in that direction.
Mathurin has been incredible for the Clippers since getting traded there. In five games with his new team, he has averaged 22 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 42.9% from the field. He has also looked pretty solid defensively and is looking more like the well-rounded team player Indiana was trying to develop him to become.
There was always a risk to trading Mathurin. The Pacers knew exactly how talented he was and what he brought to the table, but they had to move on from him if they were serious about finding their next long-term starter. He is an impending restricted free agent and was a questionable fit in Indiana. But if he keeps up this level of play, the Pacers might be kicking themselves for a long time.
Additionally, only time will tell if Indiana will be able to keep their first-round pick this year. If it falls between 1-4 or 10-30, it stays with them. But if it falls between 5-9, it goes to Los Angeles. And according to Tankathon.com, the Pacers have just a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick in this year's draft, which is widely considered the most stacked one in recent years.
If the Pacers lose out on a chance to draft someone like Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, or AJ Dybantsa, it could come back to haunt them for years. And this, combined with them moving on from Mathurin, could be what ultimately forces them to regret the trade for a long time.
It's too early to say Indiana gave up too much, but there's no denying that they gave up enough to warrant this trade as a risky one. However, if the pick stays with them and Zubac does exactly what he was brought to the team to do, then this trade might ultimately be a win for everybody involved.