With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, teams around the league are starting to show their cards-and the Los Angeles Clippers are right in the thick of it. After a rocky stretch and a key injury to Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers are navigating a critical point in their season. Whether they lean into being buyers or sellers remains up in the air, but one thing is clear: they’re not letting go of Ivica Zubac without a serious return.
According to a recent report, the Clippers turned down a trade offer that included a first-round pick and a pick swap for Zubac. That speaks volumes about how the organization values the 26-year-old big man.
The front office reportedly wants multiple first-rounders in exchange-a steep price, but not entirely surprising given Zubac’s growing role on both ends of the floor. He’s been a steady presence in the paint, anchoring the defense and providing efficient scoring in the post.
In a league where reliable centers are increasingly rare, the Clippers clearly see Zubac as more than just a trade chip.
And it’s not just Zubac drawing interest. The Clippers have also been linked to a potential deal that would bring in DeMar DeRozan and Keon Ellis.
Per league sources, the Sacramento Kings and Clippers had exploratory conversations about a trade that would send DeRozan and Ellis to L.A. in exchange for John Collins and a small salary filler. The talks reportedly took place before the Clippers caught fire and won 11 of their last 13 games-a run that may have shifted their approach to the trade deadline.
That recent surge complicates things. Just a few weeks ago, the Clippers were floundering, dropping three separate five-game losing streaks in their first 26 games.
Wins were hard to come by, and the team looked like it might need to hit the reset button. But then came December, and with it, a turnaround.
The Clippers found their rhythm, and while the momentum hasn’t been entirely consistent, it’s enough to make the front office pause before making any major moves.
Now, the Clippers are in that classic midseason limbo. Are they buyers, trying to add firepower for a playoff push?
Or are they sellers, looking to recoup assets and regroup for the future? The answer likely hinges on Leonard’s health and how the current roster performs over the next few games.
What’s clear is that the Clippers are being deliberate. They’re not rushing into deals, and they’re setting a high bar for any player they might move. Whether it’s holding firm on Zubac’s value or exploring high-upside additions like DeRozan, the front office is playing the long game.
With the deadline looming, expect more chatter-and possibly more offers. But for now, the Clippers are standing pat, weighing their options carefully in a season that still has plenty of twists left to come.