The Pacers are among the teams expected to pursue Ivica Zubac this season, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who hears from sources that Indiana recently made a call to the Clippers to inquire about the veteran center.
After losing Myles Turner in free agency to the division-rival Bucks over the summer, the Pacers are deploying Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, and Tony Bradley in the middle this season while keeping an eye out for a potential long-term answer at the position, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday.
Another Tuesday report, from NBA insider Jake Fischer, suggested that Mavericks big man Daniel Gafford is among the potential targets the Pacers have considered.
Both Gafford and Zubac are under team control for multiple seasons beyond this one, at a rate of about $18-20MM annually. That contract structure likely appeals to the Pacers, who are already carrying two maximum-salary players – Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam – and were paying Turner just under $20MM in the last year of his contract in 2024/25.
Indiana controls all of its own first-round picks and has some potential trade candidates on its roster that could be used to match Zubac’s $18.1MM cap hit, including Obi Toppin ($14MM), Bennedict Mathurin ($9.2MM), and Jarace Walker ($6.7MM), so the club could put together a viable package.
Whether the Clippers will actually be willing to entertain the idea of trading Zubac, who made the All-Defensive second team and finished second in Most Improved Player voting, remains to be seen. Fischer wrote on Tuesday that L.A. doesn’t seem inclined to part with the 28-year-old big man, while Siegel himself acknowledged last week that there are “mixed signals” about whether or not the Clippers would be open to the possibility of a Zubac trade.
In his latest article, Siegel says rival executives believe the Clippers, who are off to a 6-18 start this season, would at least have a conversation about Zubac if multiple first-round picks were on the table for him.
It would be wise to try to make an offer. He fits the age timeline perfectly
Isaia Jackson, Huff, Jarace Walker, Furphy and a 1st and a couple 2nds enough ?
That’s too much. Walker, Huff and a couple of 2nds is all I’d offer. Definitely not a 1st in this years draft.
It’s definitely would have protections on it but yeah most likely a future 1st with protections on it.
Brad Stevens go get this guy please. 2 firsts and Simons. 2026 and 2031 first round picks.
Overpay. Get someone better
Two picks years apart in the 20-30 is overpaying? Great, pull the trigger Clippers. Walker was a lottery pick, and Furphy 100% could turn into a rotation piece yet. Jackson is solid and would contribute to a winning ball club from day one. Two seconds and a first, lol. Your definition of overpay may differ a little from most.
Zubac isn’t that good to warrant those picks. All he can do is out rebound smaller players. He needs a shot blocker behind him. Walker has been a bust so far. Furphy is their only young guy on the team. 6’8 wannabe C and forgot how to block shots Jackson should be a PF
I’m just putting in all the history of the game and thinking it’s too much.
I think if the Celtics got Zubac’s and PJ Washington then that would turn them back into a championship team but they want to shed salary too
I think a lot of teams will be interested in Zubac. There’s no telling what the Clippers will do at this point though.
I think when you have Harden and Kawhi, Zubac fits the pace and needs of the Clippers roster construction quite well. I don’t think he’s going anywhere for anything less than a Gobert type massive overpay or a total roster tear down… which really doesn’t align with the approach from ownership
GSW could give a better offer than the Pacers. GSW has 6 FRP and pick swaps available.
And how is that a better offer than the Pacers?
Indiana also controls all of its own first-round picks. Can’ you read ?
The 2k ratings don’t matter. On the hardcourt, Zubac plays both ends and is, comfortably, within the top half of NBA starting C’s. He’s 28, with a good heath history (rare for a big these days), and signed to a team friendly contract that goes out for two more seasons. In short, he’s a big time asset. He’s not moving for secondary assets. Even if one of them was previously a lottery pick.
Why do people often comment about sports not being a fantasy league rating from y2k.
That is known.
Over my head.
Can’t say for sure, but perhaps they do so when encountering a conclusion that they believe could only have been reached based on 2k rating, or at least not based on typical NBA valuation criteria.
In my opinion, Zubac is worth more than Bridges, who returned 5 unprotected 1sts and a pick swap. Certainly worth more than Bane.
People who say “Simons + two 1sts” or whatever Indiana has at the 5 + 1 pick need to take their heads out of the clouds. LAC won’t do it.
Zubac would be a nice get for Pacers. But I don’t see Clippers trading him. They can move Lopez for help. Plus if Pacers get Zubac. It means the tank is over. And there is a center in top 10. Center from HU is a solid pick.
LAC ownership and FO buy into their own koolaid. All is well , as long as they have those players. Life is good.
I dont think they will move any of their top players.
I especially do not think they will trade them for picks, or try to rebuild.