Ivica Zubac addressed the media Tuesday after being traded to the Indiana Pacers, sharing how the move coincided with the birth of his first child.
“It was a lot. Just kind of being excited, welcoming our first kid and then getting a call that there’s a good chance I might get traded,” Zubac said. “It wasn’t a shock, I knew it was a possibility…spent a lot of time in LA with the Clippers and had a lot of good memories, but I’m very happy to be here.”
The 28-year-old center detailed the moment he learned of the trade. “I was in the baby room trying to figure out the bottle warmer and I hear my phone. I saw it was Lawrence Frank, so I knew what was going on before I picked up,” Zubac said.
Health was a topic during the press conference, as Zubac has dealt with ankle soreness this season. “I did miss some time earlier this year…still got some swelling, some soreness. We’re going to try to get that to 100% and I’ll go out there when I’m fully recovered,” he explained.
Zubac also discussed how he sees himself fitting into the Pacers’ system. “This team needs a big paint presence, a rebounder, screener, guy who can punish mismatches…going to be talking a lot on the defensive end. I think I fit right in,” he said.
He expressed excitement about playing alongside stars Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. “Pascal…can score in a bunch of different ways. We can run four or five pick and roll. Tyrese…one of the best in the league at what he does, moves the ball, involves teammates, leads on the court. That really excites me,” Zubac said.
Reflecting on Indiana’s playoff run last year, Zubac praised the team’s resilience. “There was a lot of crazy comebacks, almost impossible comebacks. The team never quits, always believes they have a chance. That was really special,” he said.
Zubac acknowledged the pace adjustment coming from Los Angeles. “You guys are probably the fastest team in the league…going to use the rest of the season and summer to get acclimated to the pace and speed of the game that Rick wants,” he explained.
He also highlighted the benefit of joining a familiar face in Kobe Brown. “It’s definitely easier having a familiar face…he’s versatile, can defend one through five, bring the ball up, initiate action, shoot the ball. Excited to see him get consistent opportunity,” Zubac said.
On adapting to spacing, Zubac noted a shift in his role. “I’m going to be in a corner more than a dunker…if I get the ball, go into the next action, handoff or step-up…getting used to that pace is big,” he said. He added he has worked on his midrange and corner shot and plans to continue through the offseason.
Zubac joins Indiana after a trade that sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and future picks to the Clippers. This move gives the Pacers a proven center averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, addressing a long-standing need following Myles Turner’s departure.
