(Indianapolis) — The Indiana Pacers made a significant shake-up to their struggling roster Thursday, trading high-scoring swingman Bennedict Mathurin, center Isaiah Jackson and two draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Ivica Zubac, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The trade, finalized just before the NBA’s trade deadline, represents a clear shift in direction for a Pacers franchise reeling from both injuries and a disappointing season.
Indiana also received third-year guard Kobe Brown in the deal, while Los Angeles receives Indiana’s protected 2026 first-round draft pick and a 2029 first-round pick, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 2026 selection is protected for picks 1-4 and 10-30.
Filling the void at center
The Pacers get the center they’ve needed since losing Myles Turner in free agency last summer, when Turner signed a four-year, $107 million deal with Milwaukee. Zubac, a 7-foot center, has been a consistent performer this season, averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 61.3% from the field.
The 28-year-old Croatian brings defensive credibility to Indiana’s porous interior, having earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors last season. His contract, which runs through the 2027-28 season, makes him a valuable long-term asset for Indiana, earning approximately $19.5 million next season and $20.9 million in the final year.
Parting with young talent
The price was steep for Indiana. Mathurin was set to become a restricted free agent next summer, and it wasn’t clear if the Pacers could afford to keep him. The 23-year-old Canadian has emerged as a capable scorer, averaging 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds this season despite missing time with toe and thumb injuries.
Selected sixth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Mathurin earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2023. He showed his mettle during Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals last season, scoring a playoff career-high 27 points in just 22 minutes off the bench in Game 3 against Oklahoma City.
Jackson has started 14 times in 38 games played this season and is averaging 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 58.2% from the field.
Rebuilding around Haliburton
The move comes during a lost season for Indiana, which sits at 13-38 — the second-worst record in the NBA — following a heartbreaking NBA Finals loss last June. Star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in Game 7 against the Thunder and is missing the entire 2025-26 season.
The addition of Zubac is expected to complement Haliburton’s playmaking abilities, setting the stage for a competitive team in the coming seasons when the two-time All-Star returns.
The trade is part of a larger reshaping by the Clippers, who also dealt James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland earlier this week. Los Angeles appears focused on acquiring young talent and draft capital as they navigate their own transition period.
For the Pacers, the acquisition of Zubac signals a commitment to being competitive when Haliburton returns, even if it means sacrificing some of their youthful upside in the process.