When the Indiana Pacers pulled off a major move during the NBA’s 2026 trade deadline, reactions rolled in from around the basketball world, but none quite as bold or confident as the one from WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark.
Moments after news broke that Indiana had acquired veteran center Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers, the Indiana Fever star took to X and made an emphatic prediction about the franchise’s future: “Pacers 2027 world champions.”
The trade immediately sparked excitement among Pacers fans, as it addressed a glaring need in the frontcourt. Indiana sent promising guard Bennedict Mathurin, center Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 firstround pick, an unprotected 2029 firstround pick, and a secondround pick to Los Angeles in exchange for Zubac and forward Kobe Brown.
The deal not only brings a proven presence to the paint but also signals the team’s intent to compete at a high level in the coming seasons.
Bold move at the center position
Zubac, now 28, arrives in Indiana with an impressive resume. A member of last season’s All-Defensive Second Team, he is averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game this season while shooting a remarkable 61.3 percent from the field.
He has consistently logged around 30 minutes per game over 43 contests this year and spent more than seven seasons with the Clippers, establishing himself as a reliable two-way center.
Brown, meanwhile, provides depth and versatility in the frontcourt, rounding out a package that strengthens Indiana’s inside presence after the offseason departure of longtime center Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The timing of the trade is significant for a team that recently made an NBA Finals run, only to fall short in a seven-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Turner gone, the Pacers had a critical gap at center, which Zubac is expected to fill immediately.
His size, defensive ability, and scoring efficiency make him a natural fit alongside Tyrese Haliburton, who continues to recover from an Achilles injury, and other young core players.
The cost of the trade was steep. Mathurin, a former top-six overall pick and one of Indiana’s rising offensive stars, along with future draft capital, was part of the package sent to Los Angeles.
While some critics have questioned whether the long-term price was worth it, the Pacers clearly prioritized a high-impact veteran to anchor the team moving forward.
Clark‘s confident proclamation may have been short, but it reflects the optimism surrounding the franchise. With Zubac joining the fold and the team planning for the future, Indiana is signaling its intention to compete at the highest level. The 2027 championship prediction may be bold, but it encapsulates the excitement of a team reshaping its destiny.
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