The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to be sellers at the NBA trade deadline amid a tumultuous season, but the team reportedly isn’t interested in moving big man Ivica Zubac.
Clippers Want To Keep Ivica Zubac
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Clippers are expected to receive trade interest in Zubac, “but they don’t want to part with the ever-improving big man who sports such a team-friendly contract.”
Zubac, 28, had a breakout year last season, averaging career highs of 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2,7 assists, and 32.8 minutes per game in 80 games (all starts) with L.A.
In the Clippers’ 119-117 road loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 4, he recorded a career-high 35 points on 15-of-19 (78.9%) shooting from the field and 5-for-6 (83.3%) from the foul line.
Rival teams are now monitoring if the Clippers will potentially make Ivica Zubac available during trade season.
If Los Angeles decides to pivot, Zubac is the player who holds the most value on their roster.
LA could net a premium prospect alongside a future first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/TNy8d2sDle
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 9, 2025
After leading the league in total rebounds (1,010), offensive rebounds (300), and defensive boards (710), Zubac was a finalist for Most Improved Player, and he earned his first NBA All-Defensive Second-Team selection.
Per Spotrac, Zubac is also on a relatively affordable three-year, $58.65 million contract. He’s slated to make $18.1 million this season, $19.5 million in 2026-27, and $29.9 million in 2027-28.
Through 24 games (all starts) this season, Zubac is averaging 15.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 32.8 minutes per contest while shooting 59.9% from the floor and 71% from the free throw line.
All things considered, it would be wise for the Clippers to retain a high-value center like Zubac. The 7-footer is currently in his 10th NBA season and eighth with L.A.
L.A. Dealing With Controversies, Injuries
Although the Clippers are off to a 6-18 start to the season and sit in second-to-last place in the Western Conference, they don’t own their 2026 first-round pick, so tanking isn’t a great strategy for the struggling club.
However, winning for certain teams is easier said than done.
Everything has gone wrong for L.A. since NBA insider Pablo Torre’s bombshell report in September about Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers, and Aspiration, a former team sponsor that filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
Leonard reportedly signed a $28 million endorsement deal for Aspiration, but the six-time All-Star allegedly didn’t do any work for the company, leading to speculation that the agreement was just a route for Leonard to earn additional money on top of his NBA salary that would have helped the Clippers circumvent the salary cap.
The Clippers also lost Bradley Beal to a season-ending hip injury in early November. Then during the early morning hours of Dec. 3, Chris Paul was released more than a week after he announced this season would be his last.
Unless something miraculous takes place, because the Clippers aren’t willing to move Zubac, this means they’ll likely listen to trade offers for superstars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
If Harden wants out, several teams would be interested in the 2017-18 NBA MVP.
