Pacers Didn’t Want To Sacrifice Core To Add Ivica Zubac, Happy With Starting Five

BusinessSportsMoneyPacers Didn’t Want To Sacrifice Core To Add Ivica Zubac, Happy With Starting FiveByTony East,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tony East is an Indiana-based writer who covers the Pacers and Fever.Follow AuthorMay 31, 2026, 11:54pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Indiana Pacers' Ivica Zubac looks on before an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers would have loved to keep their top-four protected first-round draft pick this offseason. They’ve made that clear, even in the aftermath of their unlucky draft lottery night.But they also love the player they sent that pick out to get. Ivica Zubac, an All-Defense team member in 2025, was dealt from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Pacers back in February. Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan called Zubac the team’s number one target just after the trade.“We like (Zubac), we like his fit, like his age, like his production, like his character, his locker room culture, all of the above,” Buchanan said. “He was a very obvious candidate for us to pursue.”Those are all positive traits for a basketball team looking to win in the near term. Zubac’s defense and rebounding could be crucial skill additions for the Pacers. The big man played in just five games for the blue and gold this season thanks to different injuries, and he averaged 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in those outings.Indiana has yet to see Zubac play with either of his new All-Star teammates in Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. He got a few reps with other starters in Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith, but it was difficult to draw many conclusions from his abbreviated season in Indianapolis. Next year, the Pacers will hope to get the big man u...