Los Angeles Lakers: How Brook Lopez Acquisition Affects Ivica Zubac
Although center Brook Lopez will likely get more minutes in 2017-2018 than Ivica Zubac, Zubac and the Los Angeles Lakers should be grateful that Lopez is in town.
As this past season progressed, former Los Angeles Lakers center Timofey Mozgov gradually lost minutes to talented youngster Ivica Zubac.
Although rookies do not tend to outshine veterans, Zubac did just that during his first NBA campaign. In only 16 minutes per game, the Croatian center averaged 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks.
His numbers are all the more impressive when stretched over 36 minutes. They elevate themselves to 16.8 points per game, 9.4 boards, and 2 blocks.
The fact that those figures nearly amount to a double-double is eye-popping. It is critical to note that they come from someone who was not even on the Lakers’ bench originally.
Granted Zubac is certainly worthy of minutes on the court in 2017-2018, newbie Brook Lopez projects to receive far more playing time.
Due to the Lopez acquisition, Zublocka will likely be the Lakers primary backup down low. During the 2016-2017 campaign, Lopez carried per game averages of 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks.
This is not a knock against Zubac by any means. The young ballplayer showed tremendous upside on both ends of the floor in his rookie year. In fact, Zubac could very well still be the future for the Lakers at center.
In an article written by Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation, it is suggested that Zubac’s future may very well be secure in Los Angeles. GM Rob Pelinka said a while back that the young center is “one of the pillars of the future.”
Such high praise for the 20-year-old indicates that the team values what Zubac brings to the table.
Lopez only has one year left on his contract, so it possible that he may only be a short-term option for the purple-and-gold as it is. The former Brooklyn Net is almost a decade older than his counterpart as well. Thus, Zubac’s future is not in jeopardy.
If anything, Lopez’ presence could benefit the Croatian. While Mozgov was a traditionally sized center himself, Lopez is a bit more skilled overall.
With that being said, Zubac could learn a thing or two from the former All-Star. Despite the easily ascertainable potential Zubac has, his game is far from impeccable.
It is feasible to imagine that the pair will play against each other in practice sessions. This would be invaluable for Zubac.
Senior writer Andrew Lynch of FOX Sports sheds even more light as to why Lopez can be a positive influence on Zubac.
"So why celebrate Los Angeles’ acquisition of the Disney-loving big man? For one, he checks all the boxes you want in a locker-room veteran. He loves his teammates (Nets point guard Jeremy Lin called Lopez the “nicest guy ever”), he genuinely wants everyone around him to succeed, and he offers a potential role model for 20-year-old Ivica Zubac, who’s the Lakers’ center of the future."
Every team needs a presence along these lines, so the trade should affect far more than Zubac alone. Lynch’s description evokes natural leadership qualities, which are traits D’Angelo Russell remains deficient in.
It is also worth noting the adversity Zublocka has already endured. As a non-lottery pick, nothing was ever a guarantee for the 7-1 athlete.
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Mark Medina of The Orange County Register touches on this in a recent post. Zubac’s path to the NBA may not have been super smooth, but it exemplifies what is possible through hard work.
Albeit the addition of Brook Lopez will curtail Zubac’s playing time, Lakers fans should be encouraged by the trade. The team now possesses two very talented big men. This makes the center position arguably their strongest at this stage.
In terms of Zubac, it could force him to work even that much harder to earn minutes. In spite of how counterintuitive that may seem, it could lead to even greater output when he is given minutes.
Perhaps the bigger question is where Tarik Black fits into the equation. If the squad chooses to keep him, his minutes project to be minimal unless he plays as a backup power forward. Larry Nance Jr. is bound to be a step ahead of Black headed into the fall, though.
Black has clearly proven at this point that he deserves to be at this level. He is a tough, gritty competitor and is the kind of guy who is unafraid to do the dirty work.
However, Luke Walton frankly may not be able to fit him into the team’s rotation. Given that truth, Black could be dealt over the summer to fill out other needs on the Lakers’ roster.
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Although things like playing time are always complicated in nature, the Lakers’ frontcourt is definitely better now due to the Lopez trade. Considering how well Zubac played as a rookie, too, who knows the limits he’ll reach in the time to come.
The Lakers still have a lot of work to do this summer, even supposing that the draft is now in the books. Nonetheless, their future down low appears to be rather bright without a doubt.