Pacers’ painful lottery loss can’t erase brilliance of Ivica Zubac trade

The Indiana Pacers made a risky move this season by trading for Ivica Zubac, even though they were tanking, and it backfired by losing their first-round pick. The step back was due to injuries sustained by this roster. After Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his Achilles tendon in the NBA Finals, the ideal outcome for this season flipped from trying to win a championship to a dreaded gap year.

Having the worst record in franchise history is not something to overlook, especially when the return on investment did not pan out. As we know, with the draft lottery over, the Pacers lost their 2026 pick, which fell to fifth overall and went to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pacers gambled with a top-four protection in the Zubac trade and lost. Even with this happening, the deal is still a win for the Pacers.

Pacers got the center they need

The hype surrounding Zubac has quietly calmed down after they gave up a top-five pick, but how valuable is he going to be? Truly, he can be a difference-maker for the Pacers in the frontcourt, providing the defensive insulation they need alongside Pascal Siakam. 

He is also a dominant rebounder and second-chance scorer, which will help the Pacers a lot in their fast-paced style. Pairing with Haliburton in the pick-and-roll is another facet of this offense that will create advantages.

The Clippers set a high asking price for Zubac because of his play and contract. The Boston Celtics were rumored to be interested in offering Anfernee Simons and a first-round draft pick. It was evident the Clippers wanted two, and the Celtics were unwilling to budge.

If the Pacers do not make this move, the Celtics' early fizzle-out is likely to make them even more desperate. Brad Stevens' end-of-season presser hinted at as much. If the Pacers hadn't pounced when they did and given up a 5th overall pick, they wouldn't have gotten Zubac.

Let's not forget that if the Pacers' pick had not conveyed, the Clippers would have received Indiana's 2031 first-rounder unprotected. That said, it still would have cost the Pacers two first-round picks to get it done. Just because this one is predicted to be more valuable does not mean it will be at the end of the day.

The Pacers are in win now mode

One season in the lottery may have made memory fade for most, but Pacer fans do not forget that they were just one game shy of being NBA champions in 2025. That is something that, with the inclusion of Haliburton and Zubac for a full season, can still happen. Even with them taking a step back this year, many expect the Packers to be in the title conversation once again with this roster.

So why would they need a top-five pick instead of Zubac? Imagine they had not made this trade. The Pacers would then look to trade this pick either back to select Aday Mara as their big man of the future or to trade the pick for a different starting-caliber center. Who is to say anyone they want, or who fits their scheme, is available? Who is to say they are worth the 5th overall pick? Those are questions the Pacers front office would have to ask if they did not make this move.

With a starting five of Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Zubac, this team can make noise. They have a loaded roster behind that. The Pacers are built for the now, and even though a top-5 pick would have been a nice addition, it is not the end-all. Indiana is in prime position to contend without it, even if history says otherwise.

If anything, the fault should lie with the New Orleans Pelicans for making the deal in the NBA Finals, gifting Indiana this pick back. If they did not make that move, the Pacers would not even care about the tanking this season.

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