Tyronn Lue reacts to the “super tough” trade of Ivica Zubac to the Pacers

As long as Tyronn Lue he was the head coach of the LA Clippers, he could rely on the center Ivica Zubac and his availability to keep for his team. After 2026 NBA trade deadline, Zubac is no longer a member Clippers, signaling a transition for the franchise.

The Clippers traded Ivica Zubac to Indiana Pacers in final class NBA trade deadline in 2026, acquiring Benedict Maturin, Isaiah Jackson and several potentially valuable draft picks in the process. The franchise had been rejecting trade offers for their center for months, but the Pacers’ offers gradually got more aggressive to the point where it was hard to turn down a deal.

Head coach Tyronn Lue spoke to the media right after the trade deadline, explaining what it was like to be in the Clippers’ practice room when the franchise had to make the difficult decision to trade Zubac to the Pacers.

“I mean, it was super hard,” Lue said. “I saw Zu grow from day one from not playing in the fourth quarter to winning games down the stretch and being a big part of what we did offensively and defensively every night. And to lose a guy like Zu with his stature, what he stood for, even off the floor as a person, it’s tough. And a lot of people in the organization, it was an emotional day. It was an emotional day for us. To see yourself lose a player like that and it was a tough day.

Before tonight’s game, I asked Tyronn Lue how hard it was to lose Ivica Zubac, a player he has been with for seven years.

Lue: “Super tough. I’ve seen Zu grow since day one… A lot of people in the organization were crying yesterday. It was a tough day for us. An emotional day.” pic.twitter.com/S0ztiHb14s

— Justin Russo (@FliBiKnite) February 7, 2026

Lue watched Ivica Zubac grow from a reserve who struggled to get on the floor in the fourth quarter to an All-NBA and all-defensive caliber player in a few short years, highlighting his incredible development around the league.

Ivica Zubac was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and finished sixth in the 2024-25 Regular Season Defensive Player of the Year poll. It was a great tribute to his development as a player and his ability to lead the team, as the Clippers surprised everyone by winning 50 games last season.

In 80 appearances last season, Zubac averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 62.8 percent from the field.

“It’s going to be a tough process, understandably, when you lose a great guy like Zou,” added Tyronn Lue. “He was the longest-tenured guy on the team. So when you lose him, you lose James, you lose Kobe who’s been here for three years, it’s tough. I can’t speak for those guys in the locker room, but I know it’s tough for them, but you’ve got to be a professional, you’ve got to do your job, no matter the circumstances.

“Lawrence Frank was telling the truth. He didn’t want to let Zuo go. He didn’t. Neither did any of the coaching staff, but as the deal got better and better, it was good for our future and what we can do now, we had to make those decisions. It’s hard, but we have to go through it.”

The Clippers were 17-4 since Dec. 20, easily the best record in the league. The 6-21 start was a thing of the past and many believed the Clippers could make a legitimate run into the playoffs or even the playoffs with how well they played.

But trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac will make things difficult as the team tries to insert three new players into the rotation while dealing with Darius Garland’s foot injury.

“We’re still going to play to win and be competitive. Getting Garland back when he’s ready to go, that’s the most important thing. But we can still win, we can compete at a high level, and when you’re trading away two of your top three players, it seems like a tough road, but we’ve been through tougher. So we’ve got to go out on a high and let’s compete at a high level. Maybe our guys in the locker room believe they can win, and that’s the biggest thing.

Tyronn Lue and the Clippers got off to a strong start after the trade deadline, with two wins over the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Benedict Maturin and Isaiah Jackson have joined the team in Minneapolis and are expected to make their debuts tomorrow when the Clippers face the Houston Rockets.

Darius Garland, meanwhile, remains out with what the Clippers are calling a left toe injury management. The former Cleveland Cavaliers guard had surgery on his left toe in the offseason, and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said the team will continue to manage foot pain to ensure the best future for himself and the franchise.