The two teams in Los Angeles have been polar opposites to start the new NBA season. The Los Angeles Lakers have quickly climbed to the upper echelon of the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Clippers have rapidly been introduced to the basement.
There are certainly still plenty of games left to be played in the 2025-26 campaign. The Clippers will have the time they need to turn things around. In the scenario where they fail to do so, would they entertain trades on their core pieces?
Back in 2019, the Lakers made an absolutely brutal mistake when they traded away Ivica Zubac to their crosstown rivals. The purple and gold got Mike Muscala in return for Zubac and Michael Beasley. That was it. The Clippers center has blossomed into one of the best big men in the NBA ever since.
It is not often that an opportunity for a do-over may present itself. If it does here for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office, it would certainly be more than worth considering for a franchise that will be eyeing every opportunity to win a championship with Luka Doncic in the mix.
Ivica Zubac would create a perfect frontcourt rotation for the Lakers
It is worth mentioning that the Clippers would not have real incentive to bottom out. Their first-round picks are still largely under the control of other parties after the dreadful trade that teamed up Paul George with Kawhi Leonard.
If there is still a way to rationalize selling players amid a potentially turbulent season, the Lakers should want in. Not only is Zubac a phenomenal fit, but there are added bonuses to his presence.
When Austin Reaves' current deal expires, the Clippers big man will be one of the frontrunners for the best bargain contract in the entire NBA. Zubac is only making around $18.1 million for the services he provides in the first season of his three-year, $58.7 million contract.
Getting elite center play for that value is a steal of a price. Building a championship contender becomes that much easier from there.
Deandre Ayton has done a strong job holding down the fort to begin the new season for the Lakers. This potential move does not come with the idea of replacing him altogether by any means.
Doncic thrived with having a reliable two-big rotation on the Dallas Mavericks. Getting steady and reliable contributions from both Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II went a long way, helping their franchise reach an NBA Finals in the process (not that they knew where to go from there).
There should be little doubt that Zubac could successfully play off of Doncic. The question will be if the Clippers fall on their face enough to seriously consider how to get out of that situation with some semblance of optimism.