A Legacy of Unintended Consequences
In the complex ecosystem of NBA roster construction, few narratives are as bizarre as the indirect influence Kawhi Leonard has exerted over the Indiana Pacers. Though Leonard never played a single minute for the franchise, his career trajectory—spanning from his 2011 draft night trade to the recent turmoil in Los Angeles—has been a primary catalyst for the acquisition of two of the Pacers’ current starting frontcourt players: Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac.
The story begins in 2011, when the Pacers selected Leonard with the No. 15 pick before immediately trading him to the San Antonio Spurs for George Hill. While that move was intended to address immediate needs, the true “Kawhi effect” on Indiana manifested years later through the dissolution of his championship-winning teams.
The Siakam Connection
Following Leonard’s departure from the Toronto Raptors in 2019 to join the Los Angeles Clippers, the championship core in Toronto began a slow, inevitable decline. According to Sports Illustrated, this eventual organizational pivot made Pascal Siakam available to the trade market. The Pacers executed a deal for the All-Star forward on January 17, 2024, providing the young Indiana roster with the veteran leadership and championship experience necessary for their recent postseason success.
The Clippers’ Chaos and Zubac
The impact of Leonard’s career continued in 2026, when reports of salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard and the Clippers created significant organizational instability. As the Clippers moved to restructure their roster, the Pacers capitalized on the opportunity to acquire center Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. In exchange, Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and a package of draft picks to Los Angeles.
This trade provided Indiana with a long-term anchor at the center position, effectively replacing the production lost when Myles Turner departed in 2025 free agency. For the Pacers, Zubac represents a tactical upgrade in rebounding and interior defense, fitting seamlessly alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Siakam.