Something doesn't sound right: how did the LA Clippers go from being adamant about keeping star center Ivica Zubac, who stuck with the franchise through thick and thin, to moving forward with a trade in just a few days? Well, Jake Fischer of ‘The Stein Line’ helped unveil the mystery, and every bit of it correlates to grabbing a hold of assets to potentially use them to pursue a star in the post-Kawhi Leonard era.
This logic from Lawrence Frank makes sense. An empty cap room would not be enough to land the next franchise player he is dreaming of. It would have been essential for the Clippers to have draft picks and young stars in their back pocket, and the most ideal way to obtain both was through the value Zubac built up over the last few seasons.
Thus, Clippers fans should be prepared for Frank to go star hunting in the future. He has a variety of appealing pieces and, of course, still a payroll that can comfortably cover massive salaries.
The LA Clippers will likely be in the race for every superstar that becomes available
Although it might be time to try something new, like a rebuild from scratch, the LA Clippers may revert to their old ways and discover a pathway to their next building block by trading what’s in stock.
Ivica Zubac, alone, brought the Clippers Bennedict Mathurin, who is 23, Isaiah Jackson, who is 24, and, more significantly than both evolving youngsters, several first and second-round picks. These are assets Lawrence Frank can certainly maximize in a trade.
Furthermore, every year, news breaks that so-and-so superstar has requested to leave. It is a part of the business of the game, as extensive requirements have to be met for the league’s top talents to want to remain where they are.
Therefore, it is best to stay equipped if an opportunity arises that is too good to miss.
Some names that may grab LA’s attention in the future are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Donovan Mitchell; each one would demand Frank to move what Zubac lured in, and then some.
That said, the Clippers had a purpose that should not be overlooked in their demands from the Indiana Pacers. The asking price on the Croatian Star was so high, primarily because Frank had a plan ready to implement that flew deeply under the radar.