After the Indiana Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, I was measured, analytical. Restrained, you’d call what I wrote.
NO YOU WOULDN’T!
I thought the deal was amazing. Here's why:
Now that the Pacers have plugged their hole at center with a double-double machine in Zubac, let’s look ahead to next season, when star point guard Tyrese Haliburton will be back and the Pacers will have most of the team that reached Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. This roster now has only one gap: a high-scoring wing, and not just to replace Bennedict Mathurin – sent to the Clippers in the Zubac deal – but to improve on him.
And the Pacers have a solid path toward getting that wing: Losing enough the rest of this season to finish in the bottom three of the NBA standings, giving them a 50-50 shot at a top-four pick in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery. That would mean getting one of the following wings: Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer or North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.
Sign. Me. Up.
I wrote it that way – duh – and couldn’t wait to see the response from my IndyStar text message group, agreeing with me and celebrating with me.
Then I checked the response.
Sigh.
Doyel: Ivica Zubac lands with Pacers at NBA trade deadline, need top-3 draft pick
Pacers land Ivica Zubac at 2026 NBA trade deadline!
OK, so there are details to the trade. In addition to Mathurin, the Pacers also sent the Clippers their first-round pick in 2029 and a protected first-rounder in the 2026 NBA Draft. What it means:
If the 2026 NBA Draft lottery Ping Pong balls are cooperative and bounce the Pacers somewhere into the 1-4 range – or the 10-30 range – the Pacers get to keep the pick and would draft one of those wings while sending the Clippers their first-rounder in 2031. But if the Ping Pong balls are cruel, and the Pacers land in the 5-9 zone, that pick is unprotected … and the Clippers get it.
Details. Meh.
From: Ron D.
This is the worst trade since Kawhi Leonard for George Hill. A massive overpay – no way the Clippers should have gotten two first-round picks plus Mathurin. Unfortunately with a decent center – and that's all Zubac is – the Pacers are going to win more games this year.
Honestly, this is stupid-squared.
No you are! I mean, you bring up good points. But there’s always one naysayer in the bunch. Let’s get to all the yay-sayers!
From: David H.
Do you question whether they gave too much for Zubac? Seems like a heck of a load for a center with good not great numbers.
No you are! Wait, sorry. No, I do not. Zubac gives the Pacers a rebounder – and low-post scorer – they’ve lacked since trading Domantas Sabonis to the Kings for Haliburton in 2022. And that worked out fine. This one will work out fine, as long as the Ping Pong balls cooperate.
From: Justin H.
Hoping this pans out, but my gut says the Pacers overpaid here. Not sure Zubac will be as good a fit with Haliburton as Myles Turner was, but at least they got something for Mathurin. He was gone after this season, and will get to shine out west.
Listen to me: If the Pacers get that top-four pick – and they appear to be in full tank mode to get it – this deal will be the best of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
From: William S.
In Kevin Pritchard we trust (and GM Chad Buchanan).
I don’t know, Wild Bill. Don’t you wonder if they paid too much for … never mind.
Doyel: Ivica Zubac lands with Pacers at NBA trade deadline, need top-3 draft pick
More Doyel: Losing gives Pacers shot at Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa or Cam Boozer
Europeans discuss 2026 World Cup boycott
In other countries, where they’re wrong about us, they’ve discussed boycotting the 2026 World Cup. That would mean boycotting the good ol’ U-S-A, so clearly other countries are wrong about us.
Because it's us!
Right?
When our president openly mused about taking Greenland, by force if necessary – hey, who hasn’t coveted that big chunk of ice? You know Sweden was thinking the same thing.
When our president goes back and forth on his support of Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, well … what do you want the American leader to do? Focus on America first?
But when our government declared war on immigrants, you know what? The countries wondering if it’s safe to send their soccer fans here – they’re not wrong.
So I wrote that. This time, I wasn’t in a hurry to see Indiana’s response.
Doyel: FIFA World Cup 2026 boycott discussed by Europeans in response to Trump policies
From: Keith P.
You have just precipitated a truckload of bricks to be thrown at you! How do you look wearing armor? I agree with you completely and appreciate your courage speaking out.
Strange times, Keith.
From: Ron O.
The only thing I care less about than Europe is soccer.
Translation: You can’t defend the U.S activity that has upset Europe. You and me, we agree there Ron.
From: Larry M
Can so many people seeing the USA as wrong, ALL be wrong? It is a difficult conundrum to support our country while disagreeing with so much of "our" policy.
Sad times, Larry.
From: Lindsey L.
The majority of Americans don't care for soccer or the World Cup – and we will remain the envy of rest of world.
Remain the envy of the rest of the world? The greater we get, the less the world seems to envy us.
From: Mark P.
Doyel, have you personally met the hundreds, maybe thousands of ICE agents (yes, agents) who are Latinos? And how about going to the root of the problem, namely sanctuary cities sheltering murderous illegals or Blue State governors and mayors who could simply hand ICE the murderous illegals they hold in their jails instead of releasing them back incognito into the streets you and I and our defenseless wives walk in.
And, right! Let Russia or China take over Greenland. About Venezuela, how many personal Latino friends do you have who could rectify your distorted image of the Caribbean Basin situation? I am married to a beautiful Colombian and we know from direct experience how GRATEFUL Latinos are to President Donald Trump for attempting to rescue those countries from the horrors and victimization of international narco-terrorism. Shame on you, Doyel, for your cruel partisan one-sidedness; you are too smart and kind-hearted to be that blind.
You seem to believe every word you wrote. That makes one of us.
More on possible boycott of 2026 World Cup in USA
From: Patricia W.
I never thought I would see the day that the USA would turn on our allies.
But how many PERSONAL Latino friends do you have, Patricia? As for me, some of my best friends are... never mind.
From: Jerry M.
This column is one of the few times that I wasn’t offended by the mixing of politics and sports. Generally I want sports to stay what they are – entertainment and a release from "the real world.”
Thank you for using your voice to point out what those of us caught between the partisan left and partisan right have seen since the return of this president.
Sad times, Jerry. Strange times.
From: Martin B.
Just wondering whether you still support Russian athletes participating in the Olympics even though not under the Russian banner. Some time ago you argued they shouldn't be punished for what their country does. wondering?
I do support Russian athletes, yes –they didn’t invade Ukraine. Fans at the Olympics in Italy have booed Vice President JD Vance but supported U.S. athletes because they believe the same thing: Our athletes shouldn’t pay for the sins made by those well above their paygrade.
Doyel in 2022:Wimbledon ban of Russian players like Andrey Rublev is act of cruelty
Last week’s Mailbagg: Pacers and Giannis, IU and Purdue, Butler and reality, Belichick and cowards
Not printing these
From: Mark D.
I've been a fan of your writing for some time. Now I'm a fan of your courage.
Thanks Mark. Folks like to get on Twitter or Facebook and yell into an algorithm that reaches only people who agree with them. And they think they’re tough? Sad times.
From: Gary S.
Q: What's the difference between Gregg Doyel and Congress?
A: Doyel has a spine.
(Continue to shine a light, Gregg.)
Smiling, Gary. Thank you.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Threads, or on BlueSky and Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar, or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar. Subscribe to the free weekly Doyel on Demand newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Did Indiana Pacers lose the Ivica Zubac trade with LA Clippers?