Indiana Fever superstar guard Caitlin Clark made a bold prediction Thursday regarding how the Indiana Pacers will fare next season.
In a post on X following the conclusion of the NBA trade deadline, Clark declared, “Pacers 2027 world champions.”
Clark’s post came after the Pacers made arguably the biggest move of deadline day by acquiring center Ivica Zubac and forward Kobe Brown from the Los Angeles Clippers for wing Bennedict Mathurin, center Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and one second-round pick, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Indiana was a surprise buyer at the deadline despite having the worst record in the Eastern Conference this season at 13-38.
There are extenuating circumstances that led to their struggles, including star guard Tyrese Haliburton missing the entire season due to a torn Achilles, and center Myles Turner opting to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
The Pacers came within one victory of winning the NBA championship last season, as they pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Haliburton’s absence has loomed large this season, but there is reason for optimism next season given the core the Pacers have in place.
A healthy Haliburton will lead the way along with All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, and there should be plenty of depth behind them in the form of Zubac, Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith and a host of others.
Zubac, 28, is a 7-footer from Bosnia and Herzegovina who has enjoyed the best seasons of his career over the past two campaigns.
Last season, Zubac averaged career highs with 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, earning him NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors and a sixth-place finish in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting.
He has been nearly as good this season, averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds, while shooting over 60 percent from the field for a seventh consecutive year.
The Eastern Conference has been wide open this season with multiple teams having a legitimate chance to go to the NBA Finals, and if key players are healthy and savvy additions are made during the offseason, there is a real opportunity for Indiana to get right back into that mix next season.