EDIT:
Trade Grades:
Indiana Pacers - A
Ivica Zubac is a perfect PnR partner with Haliburton. Great hands, touch and a BIG screener. Cleans the glass well, plays in the pocket tremendously and is an elite defensive big. One of the best value contracts in the league and the Pacers got him for their worst high minute player.
Los Angeles Clippers - C
Clippers are receiving a 2026 first-round pick from the Pacers, protected 1-4 and 10-30 -- plus a 2029 Pacers unprotected first-rounder.
I can't stress enough how poor of a return this is for the Clippers given Zubac's value as a player and their team control on him. Mathurin is a RFA and might cost a pretty penny by next season. The protections on the '26 FRP to me makes this deal still low upside imo. I don't think that asset warrants giving up a near All-NBA / All-Defense big. I do like I-Jax and think he could stick in LAC for awhile, but man this is not the move.
Really wanted to see Garland and Zubac together.
The Pacers are sending Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and one second-round pick to the Clippers for Zubac and Kobe Brown, sources tell ESPN.