The Indiana Pacers, acknowledging the 2025-26 season as one of rebuilding, have completed a significant trade to position themselves for a strong return to the playoffs. After reaching the NBA Finals in 2025 and with star guard Tyrese Haliburton expected back from injury, the Pacers focused on reinforcing their roster by acquiring Ivica Zubac as a key piece in replacing departing center Myles Turner.
The trade for Zubac, who excels with consistent double-doubles, was a major deadline move that aligns with Indiana’s long-term strategy. This acquisition is anticipated to greatly influence the team’s core performance as they regroup and aim for contention starting in the 2026 season.
Adjusting Playing Style to Fit Ivica Zubac’s Strengths
Myles Turner was integral to the Pacers’ high-speed, space-oriented game, a style he mastered during his tenure with the team. Despite ending the previous season fatigued after the NBA Finals, Turner’s ability to maintain pace and defend the rim made him a valuable contributor. His departure left a void that Jay Huff and Micah Potter have struggled to fill consistently.
Ivica Zubac, at 28 years old, emerges as a fitting replacement at center, offering strong defense and physical resilience, especially in matchups against elite post-up players like Nikola Jokic. However, Indiana must prepare to modify their approach since Zubac’s skillset contrasts significantly with Turner’s floor-spacing abilities.
Zubac has shown limited range from beyond the arc, having made only one three-pointer in his career so far. Although the Pacers are encouraging him to extend his shooting, including spotting up from the corner, it remains uncertain whether he will develop into an effective perimeter threat similar to players like Brook Lopez.
Traditionally, Zubac’s impact is strongest around the basket, where he excels at scoring through pick-and-rolls and post-up plays. His interior presence adds a level of rim protection and finishing ability that Turner did not provide as consistently, and this could shift Indiana’s offensive and defensive strategies.
Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking acumen is expected to complement Zubac’s inside game by creating open scoring opportunities. Zubac’s physicality allows him to challenge smaller, less robust centers such as Chet Holmgren, potentially forcing opposing teams to deploy less mobile big men to counter his dominance in the paint.
While some critics point out that Zubac is less agile in defending the perimeter than Turner, it is noted that Turner himself was not particularly fast-footed despite his strengths. Overall, Zubac is viewed as a suitable solution to the Pacers’ long-standing need for a reliable starting center through 2028.
Trade Costs: Bennedict Mathurin and Future Draft Picks
To secure Zubac, Indiana parted with promising young talent and future draft assets, including Bennedict Mathurin, who had been linked to trade talks for some time. Mathurin’s fit with the team’s trajectory was uncertain, and his upcoming contract demands factored into the Pacers’ decision to exchange him for a proven veteran center.
Isaiah Jackson also moved as part of the deal, though his inconsistent play made him expendable given the Pacers’ ambitions. However, the most significant sacrifice was Indiana’s 2026 first-round pick, which includes protections for selections 1-4 and 10-30. Essentially, the Pacers are willing to forfeit this pick if it lands outside the 5th to 9th positions, signaling confidence that their target prospects will not be missed.
This strategy implies that Indiana is comfortable passing on potential draft picks Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, and Caleb Wilson, believing Zubac brings more immediate value and fits better with their championship timeline. Should the protected pick conditions take effect, Indiana’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick will transfer to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Additionally, the Pacers surrendered their 2029 first-round selection to complete the trade package. While steep, this cost is tempered by Zubac’s favorable contract, which amounts to approximately $42 million over the next two seasons. The investment signals the Pacers’ firm belief in their current core’s potential to succeed when fully healthy.
Assessment of the Trade’s Impact on Indiana’s Rebuilding Process
The arrival of Ivica Zubac is a defining moment for the Pacers as they prepare for their anticipated return to competitiveness in the 2026 season. His presence addresses a critical weakness at center and adds an inside dimension previously missing from the lineup after Turner’s exit.
Though the trade required sacrificing talent like Mathurin and high-value draft picks, the Pacers appear focused on maximizing the window of opportunity created by Haliburton’s injury recovery and the team’s established core. Patience and tactical adjustments will be necessary to integrate Zubac’s strengths into Indiana’s style of play, with an emphasis on balancing interior dominance and perimeter spacing.
As the team transitions, the partnership between Haliburton and Zubac will be pivotal, especially in orchestrating offenses that leverage Zubac’s rim scoring and defensive capabilities. If successful, this trade could serve as the foundation for the Pacers’ resurgence and sustained success beyond the 2026 season.
