Amid a connected report from Tomer Azarly and Brett Siegel of ‘ClutchPoints,’ it was reported that the LA Clippers denied an offer from an unknown team that consisted of an unprotected first-round pick and a pick swap for the Croatian star, Ivica Zubac. This was the first and best opportunity to cement a much-needed change in the front-court, and the Clippers simply played greedily for more.
Around the NBA, teams know that the minimum offer the Clippers would be willing to listen to for Zubac is two unprotected first-round picks. However, this report by Azarly and Siegel confirms that if an interested contender is unwilling to meet LA’s desires, they are better off saving their time and energy, as a rejection letter is the inevitable outcome.
But the Clippers' refusal of a respectable offer that may have been negotiable shows the front office is unaware that the big man is overpriced. When they do understand, the deadline will be over, and once the summer hits, an unprotected first and a pick swap will no longer be on the table.
The Clippers have no reason to be picky in trade talks surrounding Ivica Zubac
Renovation is not always a good thing; Ivica Zubac had the mindset of stepping into another stratosphere, which was the right idea, but instead of adding a jumpshot, sharpening his defensive slides, and spending sleepless nights in the film room to improve his IQ, he transitioned into an alarmingly slim build.
This is when his value tanked. The LA Clippers still see a top-five center that is elite on both sides of the ball, but the truth has come out: Zubac is a high-end role player with, at most, star potential.
In the month of January alone, Zubac had five turnovers against the Washington Wizards, shot 20% from the field on one occasion, 33.3% on two, and has scored single digits three separate times.
The front office somehow landed the luckiest phone call of their season with a team baited into the Clippers’ draft capital demands on Zubac, and a “no, we want more” message was returned.
Lawrence Frank is in dire need of unprotected first-round picks, even if it is just one, as they do not have any conditions. Every draft right would have belonged to the Clippers, but greed ultimately won out.
That said, the Clippers will realize their missed chance when every team calling on Zubac has an offer far from two unprotected first-round picks. At this rate, Zubac will remain in LA until he is a free agent if Frank continues to ask for an unreasonable haul.