The only lifeline that could save the LA Clippers is a lottery pick. This, of course, means the Clippers must make the right selection, yet only one player will be valued at the price of a high-end first-round pick, and everyone in the NBA is familiar with his two-way inside game.
There is no better time to trade Ivica Zubac for a draft pick, other than now, as in 2026, Lawrence Frank will have lottery options ranging from top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson to Dyson Daniels’ brother, Dash, who is shining for the Melbourne United in Australia.
However, the worst teams, even if they need a center, will avoid Zubac, as the draft is their outlet for finding someone young and capable; yet a mediocre franchise will prioritize the Croatian star.
Thus, LA will only be given one pick that has to pan out, as losing Zubac for a bust would be another awful Clipper-like outcome, along with the trades of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Norman Powell.
The Clippers’ face of the future will topple the immense pain brought from an Ivica Zubac trade
If the LA Clippers had their draft pick, no sorrow at all would be felt as a result of the 19 losses in the books. They may want a playoff spot, but would be somewhat content with losing, as more losses increase the chances of winning the 2026 NBA draft lottery.
The Oklahoma City Thunder did not have the Clippers’ draft pick last season, when they won 50 games, or the season before, when they won 51, but the season that has had a horrible start; this is just a coincidence of bad luck.
Moreover, according to ‘Tankathon’, the top site for anything related to the NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls are among the few out of reach from the first overall pick that may be interested in Ivica Zubac.
They are currently 10-15, with a 2% chance to get the first pick, and a 9.4% chance to land in the top four.
Additionally, Chicago’s future guard is set with Josh Giddey. They have him secured, and would evidently like to have Zubac, who is in his prime on one of the best contracts in the league, and can produce more than Nikola Vucevic.
Other teams could also be intrigued by the idea of Zubac joining them, yet the Bulls are an example of a team projected to have a lottery pick that could end up with the Clippers.