Overall, this was a solid pick by Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers. After the prospects of potentially landing Skal, Davis, or Vanderbilt’s Damian Jones were taken away, the Lakers recovered quickly and continued to press their needs, selecting a big man that could provide solid, although perhaps not immediate, NBA minutes at the center position.
Zubac was considered a comfortable first round pick in most mock drafts, including by ESPN’s Chad Ford, who had him at No. 25 in his Top 100. His drop to the 32nd pick on Thursday was considered a steal by a number of draft insiders.
Ivika Zubac to the Lakers. He’s huge and really skilled. Nice pick for the Lakers at 32. Ranked No. 25 on our Big Board.
— NBA Big Board (@chadfordinsider) June 24, 2016
Lakers haven't had a Euro center like Ivica Zubac since ... Vlade Divac. 7'1" kid with full package. STEAL.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 24, 2016
By all accounts, his dip on the board had little to do with his skill and more to do with contractual concerns. He’s become something of a standout oafter last summers FIBA tournament and solid play in European league play.
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At 7-1, the 19-year-old’s biggest strength is his size. He has the ability to set solid screens and finishes well with both hands, an ideal big for the pick and roll. He also boasts a solid post-up game and shows flashes of passing potential as well.
However, he lacks athleticism and explosion, which limits his defensive impact and his ability to finish with contact, a must in the NBA. Of course, he’s only 19 and will surely bulk up if he makes it on the Laker roster—although a meniscus injury in 2014 may raise durability concerns later on.
The bottom line is, the Croatian national has the physical tools the Lakers desperately need moving forward. He’s tall and mobile with soft hands—intangibles that remain tantalizingly scarce across the league. Without a viable starting center on the roster for next season, the Lakers were hoping to draft a young center and found an intriguing one in Zubac. He’s clearly a work in progress, but he could become an impact player in just a couple of seasons if he applies himself well.
And for what it’s worth, he’s already won over the Twitterverse with his Laker fandom.
Ivica Zubac told us Kobe’s final game started at 4:30 a.m. in Croatia. He stayed up for it, cheered live, cried, and the sun came up.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 24, 2016
If he can use that to motivate himself as a player, he’ll have a real chance to make his NBA dream a reality.