In a recent announcement that has stirred interest among fans and analysts alike, Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle revealed that the highly anticipated debut of new center Ivica Zubac will be postponed. This delay is attributed to two key factors: Zubac is currently on paternity leave, and he has been managing an ongoing ankle injury, which Carlisle disclosed has been troubling him since December.
"The situation has fluctuated a bit," Carlisle explained ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. "From my discussions with him, it seems there are still issues with his ankle that need to be resolved. We’re committed to ensuring he is truly fit before putting him on the court."
The Pacers made a significant move on Thursday by acquiring Zubac along with Kobe Brown from the LA Clippers. In return, they traded away guard Bennedict Mathurin, center Isaiah Jackson, a pair of first-round draft selections, and a second-round pick. This trade marks a strategic effort by Indiana to bolster their roster, especially after the departure of Myles Turner in free agency.
Notably, Zubac missed his last game with the Clippers due to welcoming his first child into the world, but prior to this, he had played nine consecutive games and participated in a total of 43 games this season. Carlisle noted Zubac's durability, stating, "He has played approximately 94 or 95% of his games throughout his career, and this speaks volumes about his willingness to push through challenges. However, given the current circumstances, that won't be feasible."
As the Pacers entered Friday’s contest, they held one of the lowest records in the NBA at 13-38. With this position, the team is not particularly motivated to chase victories for the remainder of the season. The Pacers' trade included a first-round pick for 2026, which comes with certain protections—specifically, it is safeguarded if it lands within the top 1-4 or between 10-30 in the draft order. Given their current standing, the Pacers possess a 14% chance of obtaining the No. 1 overall pick. If the pick does not convey in 2026, it will convert into an unprotected first-round selection in 2031.
The decision to bring in Zubac was driven by the Pacers’ need to fill the void left by Turner’s exit. Zubac, who is under contract until the end of the 2027-28 season, is expected to establish a valuable pick-and-roll dynamic alongside Tyrese Haliburton, who is anticipated to return next season following his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.
So far this season, Zubac has been impressive, averaging 14.4 points and 11 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 61%. However, it's important to note that while Turner is known as a stretch big capable of extending defenses with his three-point shooting, Zubac has not attempted any three-pointers this season, indicating a different style of play.
"There’s a distinct contrast between Zubac and Turner," Carlisle stated when drawing comparisons between the two players. "We’ll study how to integrate him into our system effectively, keeping in mind that it will look different from when Myles was part of the lineup.
"I believe both players are among the top ten centers in the league, so we are fortunate to have secured Zubac in this trade."
But here's where it gets intriguing: how will Zubac’s traditional center play impact the Pacers' overall strategy moving forward? Are you excited about this new chapter for the Pacers, or do you think they should have pursued a different direction? Let us know your thoughts!
