8+6! Official debut in a trade! The former interior core of the Clippers

Zubac officially made his debut for the Pacers, starting and playing approximately 16 minutes, shooting 6 for 4 to score 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, while his new team lost 108-123 to the Suns at home.

During his time with the Clippers this season, Zubac played in 43 games, starting 42 times, averaging 30.9 minutes per game, contributing 14.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 61.3%.

Before this year's trade deadline, the Clippers sent Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Pacers, acquiring Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick.

So far, Mathurin has played 13 games for the Clippers, starting once, averaging 29.5 minutes per game, scoring 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals, with shooting percentages of 42.2%, 21.3%, and 85.1%.

Statistics show that when Mathurin and Leonard are on the court together, the Clippers net a 26-point advantage per 100 possessions, with an offensive efficiency of 128.0, defensive efficiency of 102.0, and a net efficiency of +26, all ranking first in the league.

In summary, at least for now, the Clippers definitely do not regret trading Zubac for Mathurin.

However, the 23-year-old Mathurin is in a contract year this season with a salary of $9.19 million; this guy will undoubtedly seek a big contract when he enters the free market this summer.

Keeping him would affect the plan to clear salary space in the summer of 2027; not keeping him would be a great loss.

Since entering March this year, the Clippers have shown a strong momentum of advancing triumphantly, achieving a record of 6 wins and 1 loss so far, with the only loss being a narrow 112-116 defeat to the incredibly strong Spurs.

Up to this point in the season, the Clippers are ranked eighth in the West with a record of 33 wins and 32 losses, trailing the sixth-place Timberwolves by 6.5 games and leading the 11th-place Grizzlies by 10 games.

It is evident that due to the large deficit dug earlier, the Clippers are basically unlikely to directly qualify for the playoffs, but they have firmly secured a spot in the play-in tournament.

It is worth noting that early this season, the Clippers were once at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, nearly allowing the defending champion Thunder to happily receive this year's top draft pick.

In 2019, during the trade to acquire George, the Clippers sent an unprotected first-round pick in 2026 to the Thunder.