In recent NBA news, unfortunately, Dallas Mavericks star big man Anthony Davis suffered a hand injury and could be out for an extended period of time, depending on the need for surgery. He was the top sought-after big man on the market, but with him going down, Ivica Zubac claimed the title.
The February 5th deadline for trades is less than a month away, and Shams Charania confirmed that Davis’ status by then would be in street clothes, leaving the Mavericks between a rock and a hard place, as they may have to retain the ten-time all-star and deal him elsewhere in the summer.
There is a real chance Davis -- one of the NBA's prime trade targets -- will be sidelined through the Feb. 5 NBA deadline. And possibly beyond, depending on the need for surgery. https://t.co/zQfmkaAbfw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2026
Thus, the teams that were chasing Davis will come to the LA Clippers with trade offers on Zubac. The price tag will be a bit higher, but it is part of the game; plans in the NBA change rapidly, and to improve, a higher cost is often required.
Ivica Zubac’s most likely destination could be the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks dealt a franchise legend, Trae Young, for CJ McCollum and Cory Kispert for a specific reason: they were targeting Anthony Davis and possibly planned to use the weighted contracts they had, plus draft capital, to secure him from the Dallas Mavericks.
But, with an injury to Davis’ hand, the Hawks are forced to pivot to the next best option on the trade market. Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers may not be who they had in mind, yet he was likely on their radar, as the Hawks had eyes on the best big men in the NBA.
The Haws’ front office is likely content with Zubac’s minor regression this season, with averages of 14.9 points and 10.8 rebounds, along with the fact that he has been awful since returning from injury, yet the near all-NBA season he posted in 2024-25 has saved his value.
Had he underperformed for a stretch of games after the All-Star break or in the 2025 postseason, the number of calls the Clippers would soon receive would not be the same.
Hence, the Clippers think highly of Zubac, and the Hawks, who have countless assets that would easily meet LA’s desires, could trade for him.
Atlanta also has a replacement center in Onyeka Okongwu, who is having a career year. Though draft capital would be a must within the deal, Okongwu’s domination would be one of the top convincing factors for the Clippers.