In a strategic maneuver during the NBA trade period, the Indiana Pacers have reportedly secured the services of center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers. This high-profile exchange sees promising guard Bennedict Mathurin heading to the Clippers. This transaction addresses the Pacers' long-standing need for a dominant presence in the paint, a void felt since the departure of Myles Turner.
Ivica Zubac arrives in Indiana boasting impressive statistics, averaging 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, with an exceptional 61.3% field goal efficiency. His prowess on the boards is particularly noteworthy, placing him fifth in the league in rebounding this season, following a fourth-place finish last year. The Pacers' interest in Zubac dates back to December, highlighting their persistent pursuit of a player with his specific skill set.
Conversely, the Clippers gain Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers' second-leading scorer this season with 17.8 points per game, complemented by 5.4 rebounds. Over his four seasons with the Pacers, Mathurin maintained an average of 16.1 points per game. As the sixth overall pick in the 2022 draft, Mathurin represented the highest draft selection for the Pacers since Rik Smits in 1988 and earned first-team NBA All-Rookie honors. His rookie season saw him tally 1,302 points, marking the third-highest total for a Pacers rookie.
However, Mathurin's tenure in Indiana was marked by challenges in solidifying a starting role. His inclination towards one-on-one play occasionally clashed with the team's up-tempo, ball-sharing offense orchestrated by All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Players like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith demonstrated a greater willingness to move the ball and provided more consistent defensive contributions. Despite showing improvements in on-ball defense, Mathurin sometimes struggled with off-ball awareness. He started 109 of 237 games for the Pacers, including 24 of 28 this season when Haliburton was sidelined. With his contract extension negotiations unresolved, Mathurin was set to enter restricted free agency, indicating a potential future in a Sixth Man role had he remained with the team.
This trade signifies a calculated move for both franchises. The Pacers acquire a reliable big man to fortify their interior, while the Clippers welcome a talented young scorer with significant potential. The exchange reflects each team's strategic objectives, aiming to enhance their respective rosters for current and future aspirations.