Pacers reportedly trade for Clippers center Ivica Zubac

Indiana reportedly has agreed to a deal with LA to acquire center Ivica Zubac, according to multiple reports, with Bennedict Mathurin headed to LA, per multiple reports.

Indiana receives:

LA receives:

• Bennedict Mathurin
• Isaiah Jackson
• Two future first-round picks
• Future second-round pick

Clippers are receiving a 2026 first-round pick from the Pacers, protected 1-4 and 10-30 — plus a 2029 Pacers unprotected first-rounder. https://t.co/Detz6u6luR

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026

Bennedict Mathurin is going to the Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade, per source.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 5, 2026

Zubac, a former second-round pick, is in the midst of his second straight season averaging a double-double. He is fifth in the NBA in rebounding (11 rpg) and is averaging 14.4 points on 61.3% shooting as well.

Unlike many big men in today’s NBA, Zubac doesn’t venture out to the 3-point line — he last attempted a 3-pointer in the 2020-21 season. He will turn 29 next month, is signed through the 2027-28 season and was an All-Defensive Second Team pick in 2024-25.

Mathurin was drafted sixth overall by Indiana in 2022 and had been a mainstay in the Pacers’ rotation. The 23-year-old guard is averaging career highs in points (17.5) and 3-point shooting (37.7%).

He was set to become a restricted free agent next summer, and it wasn’t clear if the Pacers could afford to keep him. He recently returned from toe and thumb injuries that kept him out for most of January. He’s averaging 17.8 points and 5.4 rebounds this season and has improved significantly as a defender this season.

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.

The Pacers are in the midst of a rebuilding campaign as star guard Tyrese Haliburton rehabs from the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. However, once he returns, pairing his playmaking with All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, Zubac, Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith gives Indiana hope for next season and beyond.

The Clippers (23-27) have surged after a slow start to 2025-26 and remain in the SoFi Play-In Tournament chase. However, they seem to be pivoting at midseason after trading All-Star guard James Harden to Cleveland on Wednesday and now, moving Zubac to Indiana.

Indiana (13-38) has the worst record in the Eastern Conference, is No. 22 in rebounds per game (42.8) and is tied with Milwaukee for No. 28 in rebound percentage (47.9%) this season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.