The Clippers are rolling right now. There’s no denying that. But under the surface of their recent surge lies a decision that could come back to haunt them - holding onto Ivica Zubac when his trade value might never be this high again.
According to recent reports, the buzz around a potential Zubac trade has quieted significantly. That might sound like good news for fans of the longest-tenured Clipper, a player who’s earned respect for his consistency and work ethic. But when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, the Clippers may be missing a rare window to cash in on a valuable asset.
Let’s be clear: if the Clippers put Zubac on the trade block, there would be no shortage of interest. A 28-year-old center averaging 14.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game on a team-friendly contract?
That’s the kind of player who gets phones ringing. Half the league would at least inquire, and there’s a strong chance someone would be willing to pay a premium - potentially even multiple unprotected first-round picks.
But that’s not the direction the Clippers are leaning. Instead, the front office, led by Lawrence Frank, seems to be operating under the classic “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. With the team trending upward, they’re reluctant to shake up the roster - and Zubac, despite his limitations, is a familiar piece of that puzzle.
The problem is, this approach might be ignoring a key truth: Zubac’s value isn’t static - it’s declining.
Through 34 games this season, Zubac’s production has dipped. His scoring, rebounding, and shooting efficiency are all down.
And while his contract still gives him value around the league, that won’t last forever. He’s approaching 30, and the modern NBA is less forgiving to traditional bigs who struggle to stretch the floor or switch defensively.
Teams aren’t just looking at what Zubac is now - they’re projecting what he’ll be a year or two down the line. And if the Clippers wait too long, the offers they’re ignoring now might not be there later.
There’s also the on-court fit to consider. Zubac’s style - back-to-the-basket, interior-focused - can clog up spacing for stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, who thrive with more room to operate.
In fact, the Clippers are undefeated in games Zubac has missed this season. That’s not a coincidence.
Brook Lopez and Yanic Konan Niederhauser have stepped in and kept the offense flowing, largely because they don’t require touches and stay out of the way.
This isn’t about blaming Zubac. He’s been a steady presence for years and a respected figure in the locker room.
But basketball is a business, and timing is everything. The Clippers are in the middle of a turnaround, yes, but that momentum has come largely without Zubac playing a central role.
That should raise some eyebrows in the front office.
If they’re not careful, the Clippers could pass on a chance to turn a solid, if declining, asset into valuable draft capital - the kind of flexibility that could help extend their championship window or reload for the future. Instead, they risk hanging onto Zubac until his value bottoms out, all because they didn’t want to mess with a good thing.
The deadline is looming. And while standing pat might feel like the safe move, it could end up being the one that costs them the most.