The Los Angeles Clippers picked up a win at the Intuit Dome last night, but the locker room vibe was undeniably different. For the first time in seven years, Ivica Zubac wasn’t there.
Following the deadline blockbuster that sent the fan-favorite center to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, Kawhi Leonard offered a rare glimpse into the team’s emotional state. Usually a man of few words, The Klaw admitted that losing the longest-tenured Clipper has been a heavy blow for the squad.
“A Face We’re Gonna Miss”
Speaking postgame, Kawhi didn’t dodge the reality of the situation. Zubac had been the Clippers’ anchor through the Lob City transition, the bubble years, and the new era, often serving as the unsung hero of their defense.
“He’s a face we’re gonna miss,” Kawhi told reporters. “We came in the year with the oldest team… it makes sense for them to try to get some assets, but the tides changed.”
The Silver Lining
However, in true Kawhi fashion, he didn’t let the sentimentality linger too long without a reality check. He made sure to remind Zubac (and the media) that the big man isn’t exactly being sent to basketball purgatory.
“At least it’s not the worst,” Kawhi reportedly told his former teammate.
His logic? The Pacers are fresh off an NBA Finals appearance in 2025. While they are currently struggling with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined due to an Achilles injury, the addition of Zubac creates a terrifying pick-and-roll partnership for next season.
Kawhi knows that once Haliburton returns to join forces with Zubac and Pascal Siakam, Indiana will likely be right back in the championship conversation.
End of an Era
The trade officially marks a pivot for Los Angeles, who also moved James Harden to Cleveland in a shock retooling. But for Clippers fans, the hardest part isn’t the strategy—it’s seeing the “Big Zu” era come to an end.
As for Zubac? He heads to the Fieldhouse as the missing piece for a contender-in-waiting. And as Kawhi pointed out… it could have been a lot worse.
