Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy in Lakers lore is carved in stone - five championships, 14 seasons in purple and gold, and a skyhook that became the most unguardable shot in NBA history. But what’s less known is how close the Lakers came to bringing him back into the fold in a mentorship role, and how that opportunity quietly slipped through the cracks.
Nearly a decade ago, Abdul-Jabbar saw potential in a young Ivica Zubac - then a raw, 7-foot center drafted by the Lakers in 2016 with the 32nd overall pick. Zubac, fresh out of Europe, had size, touch, and a willingness to learn - the kind of canvas a legend like Kareem could mold. And according to Zubac himself, the Hall of Famer was ready to do just that.
“After a few workouts, he told me he wanted to mentor me and work for the Lakers,” Zubac shared during a recent appearance on X&O’s Chat. “After that, he had a meeting with Magic, and I don’t know what happened there, but he never got a job with the Lakers. He wanted some kind of role with the team just to work with me and the big guys, but unfortunately that never happened.”
It’s a what-if moment that lingers. Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time MVP and one of the most cerebral players the game has ever seen, had already served as an assistant coach for the Lakers from 2005 to 2011.
His interest in returning - specifically to mentor the next generation of bigs - seemed like a natural fit. But the door never reopened.
He was also passed over for head coaching opportunities at both UCLA and with the Milwaukee Bucks, two organizations where he once starred as a player.
As for Zubac, his journey took a different route - just across the hall at Crypto.com Arena. In 2019, the Lakers traded him to the Clippers, a move that raised eyebrows at the time.
But it turned out to be a turning point in his career. With more playing time and a defined role, Zubac blossomed into a reliable interior presence.
Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and Zubac took another leap. He posted career highs across the board, averaging 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds over 80 games. His defensive growth didn’t go unnoticed either - he earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, a testament to his rim protection and rebounding prowess.
Now 28, Zubac is entering a new chapter. Earlier this month, he was dealt to the Indiana Pacers alongside Kobe Brown in a trade that sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-rounder to the Clippers. It’s a significant package - and a sign that Indiana sees Zubac as more than a stopgap.
He hasn’t suited up for the Pacers yet, sidelined by an ankle injury and paternity leave. But once he’s back, he’ll bring much-needed size and experience to a young Indiana squad that’s currently sitting at 15-40 near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. For a team likely headed to the draft lottery, Zubac represents a stabilizing force - and a potential building block moving forward.
It’s hard not to wonder what might’ve been had Kareem been given the green light to mentor Zubac during his early Laker days. But even without that direct tutelage, Zubac’s evolution into one of the league’s more dependable centers speaks volumes. And now, with a fresh start in Indiana, he’s got a chance to take his game - and his leadership - to another level.