It’s been nearly a decade since Ivica Zubac first stepped onto the court in purple and gold, but the way his Lakers tenure ended still lingers - and not just for fans who remember the trade. For Zubac himself, the experience was a whirlwind of mixed messages, shifting expectations, and missed opportunities.
Drafted 32nd overall by the Lakers in 2016, Zubac entered the league as a promising young center with a soft touch around the rim and a frame that screamed long-term potential. He showed flashes early on - solid footwork, good instincts, and a feel for the game that hinted at something more. But as the Lakers navigated their post-Kobe rebuild, Zubac found himself caught in the churn of a franchise searching for direction.
Recently, on the Xs & Os Chat podcast, Zubac opened up about his time in Los Angeles, painting a picture of a developmental process that felt anything but stable. One detail that stood out: communication - or the lack of it - from the top.
“Magic never called from his own number,” Zubac said, referring to then-team president Magic Johnson. “Nobody had his phone number.
It was always a hidden number, and Magic would be on the other end.”
That lack of transparency extended to his contract situation. Zubac recalled being told in his exit interview that the team planned to pick up his option.
But just a week before the deadline, his agent got a call: the Lakers had changed course. The reversal left Zubac blindsided.
But perhaps the most surprising revelation was about a potential mentorship that never materialized. According to Zubac, none other than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at the time and one of the greatest big men to ever play the game - had expressed interest in working with him.
Kareem had even met with Magic Johnson to discuss joining the staff in a developmental role, specifically to mentor Zubac and help him refine his post game, including the legendary skyhook. But the opportunity never came to fruition.
“He told me he wanted to mentor me and work for the Lakers,” Zubac said. “He had a meeting with Magic… but he never got a job.”
Imagine that - a young center with raw potential, and a Hall of Famer ready to help mold him, only for the connection to be lost in the shuffle. That’s the kind of developmental miss that can change a career trajectory.
Zubac also spoke about the pressure he faced during the 2017 Summer League. According to him, the Lakers expected him to win MVP - a tall order considering the talent around him.
That roster featured a who’s who of future NBA contributors: Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Alex Caruso. Zubac held his own, and the Lakers won the Summer League title, but he wasn’t the centerpiece.
And that seemed to matter.
His role diminished in his second year. The team kept adding veterans, and his minutes kept shrinking. By the time he was traded to the Clippers, the writing was on the wall.
For Zubac, it wasn’t the trade itself that stung - it was how it all went down. The mixed signals, the lack of clarity, the feeling of being a piece shuffled around rather than a player being developed. That’s what left a lasting impression.
Now with the Indiana Pacers, Zubac has carved out a solid NBA career. He’s grown into a dependable big man, known for his rebounding, interior defense, and efficient finishing. But the early years in L.A. remain a reminder of how fragile player development can be - and how much difference clear communication and consistent support can make.
It’s easy to forget how young players enter the league with more than just talent - they come in with hopes, expectations, and the need for guidance. For Zubac, the potential was there.
So was the support, at least in theory. But in the chaos of a rebuilding franchise, sometimes the pieces don’t come together.
And sometimes, the biggest “what if” isn’t about a trade - it’s about the mentor who never got the chance.