Clippers Buy Back Picks, Send Zubac to Pacers

Merlin sees a proposed three team deal that would have the Clippers send Ivica Zubac and multiple future firsts to Oklahoma City so L.A. can reclaim its own 2026 and 2027 picks while adding Jarace Walker and Isaiah Jackson. The Pacers would get Zubac as a short term anchor and the Thunder would hoard late decade draft assets. As the piece asks, "Why would the Oklahoma City Thunder ever agree to that?" Merlin senses Los Angeles is paying a premium to buy a clean reset, freeing itself to move aging stars and lean into the 2027 spending window. Indiana gains a steady rim protector for whenever Tyrese Haliburton returns. Oklahoma City prefers deferred cost controlled upside over immediate depth. Risky, but the prize is clearer rebuild control.