Former Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac was on the move before the deadline, this time, leaving California. The Clippers sent Zubac to the Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin (the No. 6 pick in the 2022 draft), Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick. So, they got just a little more than the Lakers did in 2019.
Mike Muscala, the lone player LA received for Zubac seven years ago, spent the second half of the season with the Lakers before signing with the Thunder in free agency that summer.
Even after the Clippers traded James Harden for Darius Garland, it didn't seem like they'd really deal Zubac. Indiana made an offer that LA couldn't refuse, though, replacing Myles Turner and giving Tyrese Haliburton (when he returns next season) a new pick-and-roll partner. In the process, the Pacers made the Lakers look worse.
Clippers got a lot more for Ivica Zubac than the Lakers did
There is no way that the Clippers would've agreed to send Zubac back to the Lakers for even a semi-reasonable price, but knowing that he was available made the trade sting a little worse for Los Angeles. It's no secret that the Lakers could use a quality starting center.
At least Zubac is out of LA now, although, unfortunately for him, he's in Indianapolis. The Lakers don't have to worry about being reminded of what they gave up on as much now that he's out of the city and the conference. And as for Zubac, he'll have a better chance to win a title with the Pacers than he would've had he remained with the Clippers.
Now, if that happens, it will give the Lakers the biggest reason of all to regret letting him go for a 17-game rental (as many games as Muscala played in purple and gold). You can't say that it won't be fun to watch him and Haliburton together, although it will also sting thinking about how things might've been with him and Luka.
Oh, well. It's not often that the Clippers one-up anyone, especially the Lakers, but in this case, they did. It could always be worse, right? After all, if this season had gone as the Clippers hoped, they'd have won the title. Zubac would've been a key part of that. Their roster said otherwise, though.
Best of luck to Zubac in his new home, just not when the Lakers play the Pacers in the 2027 NBA Finals.