The Los Angeles Clippers aren’t in the mood to part with one of their most reliable big men - at least not yet.
According to reports, the Clippers recently turned down a trade offer from the Boston Celtics for center Ivica Zubac. The proposed package?
Anfernee Simons, a first-round pick, and a future pick swap. That’s a serious offer, the kind that makes you pause.
But the Clippers held firm, choosing to keep Zubac in the fold - and that decision speaks volumes about how much they value his presence in the paint.
Boston, clearly in the market for a center, didn’t wait around. They pivoted quickly and landed Nikola Vucevic from the Bulls instead.
The Celtics also reportedly had their sights on Jaren Jackson Jr., who ultimately ended up in Utah. So while Boston was casting a wide net, Zubac was high on their wish list - and for good reason.
Zubac is putting together another strong campaign in Los Angeles. He’s averaging 14.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game - a stat line that reflects both his steadiness and his growth.
He missed a small chunk of the season with a left ankle sprain but has otherwise been a consistent force in the middle. This isn’t a one-off, either.
Zubac has averaged a double-double in each of the past two seasons, including a career-best 16.8 points and 12.6 boards last year.
He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable - the kind of center who sets hard screens, controls the glass, and finishes efficiently around the rim. And in a league that’s constantly chasing versatility and spacing, Zubac’s old-school presence remains valuable, especially on a team that needs interior stability.
The Clippers acquired him from the Lakers back in 2019, and he’s now in his eighth season with the franchise. He’s grown into a foundational piece - not necessarily a star, but a player whose absence would be felt if he were moved.
Meanwhile, the trade winds are swirling around the Clippers in a much bigger way. There’s chatter that LA is exploring a blockbuster move involving James Harden.
According to reports, the team is considering sending Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland. That kind of trade would completely reshape the Clippers’ identity.
Harden has been a central figure in their recent resurgence, and moving him would be a seismic shift in both style and strategy.
But for now, the Clippers are trending in the right direction. After a brutal start to the season, they’ve found their rhythm, winning 17 of their last 22 games.
That surge has lifted them to ninth in the Western Conference, just ahead of the Trail Blazers for the final play-in spot. It’s not where they hoped to be at this stage, but it’s a far cry from where they were just a few weeks ago.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Clippers have decisions to make. Harden’s future is a headline-grabber, but don’t overlook the importance of keeping Zubac.
He might not make the highlight reels, but he’s one of the most consistent pieces on a team still figuring out its ceiling. For now, he stays - and the Clippers are better for it.