Third-year center Ivica Zubac has gone from a little-used player at the end of the Lakers‘ bench to a possible component of an Anthony Davis trade, writes Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times. Given an opportunity to play, the 21-year-old has averaged 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds over the past 10 games and has become a frequent part of trade rumors.
“He’s been great. That’s more of the norm in this league, you kind of develop your habits, you play, you get frustrated. … Consistency is a challenge for a young player,” coach Luke Walton said. “You fall out of the rotation. You get hungry and you keep working and you come back in. With him, he’s always had a great attitude and he’s worked hard.”
It’s the Lakers’ collection of young talent — some combination of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart — that would get a deal done, Woike notes, but Zubac could be valuable as a filler. Still, L.A. wouldn’t mind keeping him to provide bulk against the other Western Conference big men.
There’s more Lakers news to pass along:
- Walton met individually with the players rumored to be involved in the Davis deal, just as he did last season when talk emerged that the team was going to clear cap room for a run at LeBron James, relays Dave McMenamin of ESPN. A source says the speculation is “weighing heavily” on some of the players who may be headed to New Orleans, although another source said Pelicans GM Dell Demps is “not picking up his phone” to discuss a trade.
- Walton tells Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register that James is “just happy to be back on the basketball court again” as he nears a return from a groin strain that has sidelined him for more than a month. James has been participating more in practice lately, rather than spending time in the training room, and has been staying late for extra shooting. “I don’t think he’s going full out yet,” Walton said. “Haven’t really seen him drive the lane and tomahawk dunk on anyone but he’s moving, he’s moving well and he’s getting up and down the court and he’s shooting well. He doesn’t look like he’s hurting at all when he moves.”
- Tom Ziller of SB Nation offers some unusual advice to the Lakers to improve their chances of landing Davis — tanking for the rest of the season. While he admits it’s unlikely that L.A. would consider that strategy, Ziller notes that the team is 6-11 since James’ injury and that a mid-lottery pick would be another valuable asset to offer the Pelicans.
I wanted the Celtics to draft Zubac with one of their 2nd round picks the year he was drafted. The Celtics had a pair of early 2nds (33 & 35 I want to say), and they traded them to the Clippers for a protected 1st that may never convey (ends up a 2nd if it doesn’t). They took Yabu and Zizic in the 1st that year, and it may end up Zubac is the best of the 3. Zubac went between the Celtics 2nds IIRC, so they could have taken him. Oh well.
Only shot Celts had at him is in the 1st round. I think they traded their seconds with Memphis to get the Clips 2019 pick which probably conveys this season. Probably shouldve taken him instead of Zizic, but man Lakers always tend to have the pick before guys I want Celts to draft ex Nance Jr., Wagner.
If demps won’t answer his phone then magic needs to knock down his door
There’s absolutely no reason for Demps to be in a hurry to trade Davis.
Sorry, Laker fans. It is what it is.
Says the CeLtICs Fan, sounding nervous bro!
If AD isn’t traded by February 7, you should be nervous. That means LeBron and Rich Paul’s power play failed and means the Pelicans would rather deal with the Celtics. Dell Demps is pissed at LeBron, Rich Paul, and the Lakers. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told the Pelicans not to deal with the Lakers. I’d imagine by Demps not taking calls on AD, that’s what is happening bro!
Whoever has the best talent for the Pelicans is who will make the deal, bro.
You got that right bro!
Our package is better regardless of timing unless another team similar to raptors i feel very comfortable. Either we get him now or when he is a free agent for free. Only will sign an extention with us, so teams offers will be less than if he hadnt said that. Like i said not worried, i know you are ptn thats why you comment so much on here like its gonna change the outcome lolz!
What reference do you have that he’d only sign an extension with LA? He’d sign with a team that can win a title. If Houston could get him, why wouldn’t he? OKC? GS? Boston or Toronto or Philly? All of those teams would be able to.
I comment to correct people. You are a hyper Laker fan who has to find out reality the hard way.
Your/Lakers package could use some Viagra bro, because it just ain’t big enough……AD might make it to LA town but it won’t be until 20/21 season. Lebron stinks as GM/Coach.
How a boob like Demps is being allowed to make the calls on an AD trade, which will impact the franchise for the next 5-10 years (at least), is pretty mind boggling. His BB judgment over the past 7 years is one reason why they’re in this mess. Need to replace him before thinking about trading AD.
Im surprised Demps hasnt been fired. Probably will after this season. Terrible GM.
Boston could offer a better package if Ainge really wants Davis.
Ainge would never dare trade their golden child Tatum. Jaylen Brown and some draft picks cant top the Lakers lol
Never said what he would do just saying if Ainge wants AD he can get him over LA offer.
Smartest thing for the Pels to do is simply wait for the offseason when more (and better) options are available. The Lakers supposed offer is enticing, but I’d wait things out to see if I could get a top 2 pick. That could be franchise altering. What the Lakers have are nice pieces, but that’s all they are.
2 postseason runs has more trade value then 1 if they wait
If AD goes to the Los Angeles, I’d define the Lakers’ era as “Uni-Brow” Time. TM please.
The Uni-Bron!
Lakers should tank, hope they get lucky in the lottery, and then use the pick to add to the deal this summer.
LeBron would never let this team tank
Lebron is tanking right now. Watching the team auger into bottom of the tough West. If the Lakers fall too far, they can’t get up in the West. Lebron knows that and is slow to return because it gives credence to fire coach Luke and bring in his puppet T. Lue. The whole passive/aggressive ploy that Lebron incorporates to get his way is getting much too predictable and exceedingly obtuse. I hope AD enjoys the Eastern Conference because Western conference is not going to happen. The guy gets hurt a great deal (starting to remind me of Zo)
Where’s NO owner in all of this????
Six feet under, wifey is working the farm after he left his kids out of the will and gave everything to her.
Pels must deal AD now, they owe it to him, he doesn’t wanna be there any more & above all with him they will be a very good team out of the playoffs with a bad lottery pick, without him they will tank be real bad get a good lottery pick & kick start their rebuilt & hopefully shave 1-2 years from the total process of getting competitive again. It’s a win-win to do it now, in the summer not so…
Trade Zubac and Simmons to Boston for Irving, Brown and 2 1st round draft picks.
LA can use Brown and the picks for AD.
Ben Simmons is on the 76ers. I think you mean Lonzo?
I doubt the Celtics would want to help the Lakers! Especially for AD
Agree w/@Ptn. I’m not hearing Davis offers or any momentum, and Demps wants to spite the Lakers. He at least wants to know what BOS will offer. In theory Davis would land more talent now than later in a trade, because Davis could still be flipped later if traded now, but who is moving on it?
Ainge is probably confident he can re-sign Davis. The Boston sports scene sold itself to Irving well enough. (Tom Brady is as ageless as Lebron. The secret?) Also, if he’s not busy fooling himself, Ainge knows Tatum & probably Brown are overrated, so can be traded without too much pain. Celtics should start Irving & Rozier, Smart 3rd guard, draftee 4th.
The game is on but the Lakers can’t play for another 4 months. Way to go Rich Paul! Ya burnt.
What can Demps do besides take out his ire on the Lakers. Should he take the best deal possible?– With so many parts, who’s to say what that even is.
Also Dell Demps used to work for Coach Poppovich and goes to him for advice. Pop is telling him not to give in to the Lakers and to get every offer he can, like he did with Kawhi.
And you have 3 dates to remember. 1) February 7-Demps will get an idea who is bidding with initial offers. 2) May 24-Lottery drawing. If Demps is looking for a high lottery pick (Knicks?) he’ll know where to go. 3) July 1- I think it would be easier for Boston to get the Pelicans to do a sign and trade for Rozier along with Tatum, Brown, and picks than to get them to do a sign and trade for KCP (doubt it) along with Kuzma, Ingram, Zubak, and a late pick. I still think if Philly offers Simmons, he goes there. It would take a 3rd team (Portland?)
You forget he wont sign extension with team aquiring him lolz, they arent going to part with tatum if he wont resign. Again media trying to put celtics in the mix when its not close.
You said that about Paul George too. You like to block important things out like Kyrie and AD are good friends. You haven’t answered me yet. Come July 1 the only players the Lakers have available are Ingram ($5-7mm), Lonzo ($5-7mm), Zubak ($1.5mm), Hart ($1mm), Wagner ($1.5mm), Kuzma ($2mm), and LeBron ($35-40mm). AD will make $27mm. Since you are bad at math I’ll do it for you. For all 6 that would be $16mm-$20mm, and the Pelicans would want 4 at the most. The Pelicans already have Jrue Holiday, they don’t need KCP. This is also the bunch that has been playing for LeBron, and they are losing. Tatum, Brown, and Rozier are winning. The tables have been set. Tatum ($7mm), Brown ($7mm), Rozier ($14mm sign and trade) + picks=$28mm.
Trade successful. And like Pop is saying, trade him to the east where you don’t play him as much.
Russell got Paul George to stay. Kyrie will get AD to stay. Tatum, Brown, and Rozier will get playing time in New Orleans. Everyone is happy, happy, happy.
In my opinion the Lakers will have to offer Kuzma, Ball, Zubak, Ingram (comes to $19mm) along with picks. The Boston writer today said the Celtics are in a win-win situation. If they get AD to go with Kyrie, they win. If not, the Lakers wipe out their core. The Celtics still win.
Also sixers arent gonna part with simmons they have already said so on every media outlet possible. I know you dont like lebron but he is gonna get a superteam and win more rings man. Your in the denial stage but the tables been set.
Again yopu like to leave out important details. The Lakers haven’t been in the playoffs in 5 years. This year will make 4 championships in 5 years for the Warriors.
Funny, the Philly.com sportswriter said last weekend they should trade Simmons for AD. But then again you said Hassan Whiteside was the best player on the Heat. What do you know?
As a matter of fact, he is!
Lakers should just stand pat. Giving up the future of the franchise just appease Lebrons final Years is dumb.