Not Even Durant Can Get Him: Why 28-Year-Old Ivica Zubac Is Now Untouchable in LA

It’s not every day that a franchise turns down the chance to trade for Kevin Durant. But that’s exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly prepared to do—if the price includes Ivica Zubac.

In a recent report by American NBA insider Matt Moore, the Clippers’ interest in Durant has cooled dramatically. Why? Because, according to multiple sources, the Suns' pursuit of Zubac as part of any KD package is a non-starter. Simply put, Zubac is off the table—unless the Clippers are offered a player of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s caliber in return.

Sound hyperbolic? Maybe. But look closer, and you’ll understand why Zubac’s name now carries this kind of strategic weight in Los Angeles.

From Role Player to Core Piece

Zubac’s 2024–25 campaign wasn’t just good. It was career-defining.

In 80 regular-season games, the 28-year-old Croatian big man averaged:

• 16.8 points

• 12.6 rebounds

• 2.7 assists

• 1.1 blocks

• 32.8 minutes per game

• 62.8% field goal percentage

• 64.1% true shooting percentage

All career-highs.

His 12.6 boards per game ranked fourth in the entire NBA, ahead of names like Rudy Gobert and Bam Adebayo. More impressively, after the All-Star break, Zubac shifted into another gear:

• 19 games

• 19.6 PPG

• 12.6 RPG

• 3.0 APG

• 1.1 BPG

• 65.5% FG

These aren’t just incremental improvements. They represent a fundamental leap in both usage and efficiency.

Compared to last season’s:

• 11.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 64.9% FG in 68 games
  Zubac added five points, three rebounds, and doubled his assists while playing more games, more minutes, and handling more responsibility.

And it wasn't just volume—Zubac produced in big moments. He recorded:

• 4 games with 20 points and 20 rebounds (had just one in his first eight seasons)

• 27 games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds (only 4 such games the previous year)

• His first career triple-double: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists against Houston

The Defensive Anchor LA Can’t Afford to Lose

Zubac’s offense has come alive—but his defense might be even more critical to the Clippers' identity.

Per tracking data:

• When Zubac was on the court, the Clippers posted a 116.5 offensive rating and allowed 107.1 defensively. That’s a +9.4 net rating.

• Without him, their offense cratered to 106.7, while their defense softened to 110.2. That’s a -3.4 net rating.

The contrast couldn’t be starker. Zubac wasn’t just stabilizing LA’s frontcourt—he was elevating it.

It’s no surprise then, that Zubac led the team in total plus-minus at +514. For context:

• Norman Powell: +352

• James Harden: +344

That’s not to say Zubac is a better player than Harden. But it does reflect the massive on-court impact he had—possession by possession, game by game.

Defensively, Zubac was the team’s firewall. He contested 18.3 shots per game (ranking top 10 among centers), and opponents shot 3.2% worse when guarded by him. That includes elite rim protection, switchable coverage in drop, and above-average rebounding in traffic.

The Jokic Factor: A Western Conference Litmus Test

Any team in the West that harbors championship hopes must answer one simple question:

How do you guard Nikola Jokic?

For the Clippers, Zubac is their answer.

In a brutal seven-game first-round war against the Nuggets, LA fell short—but Zubac stood tall. His series averages:

• 17.4 points

• 10.1 rebounds

• 2.3 assists

• 65.9% FG

And in the pivotal Game 5, despite the loss, Zubac delivered a playoff career-high 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting. More importantly, he went toe-to-toe with Jokic defensively.

In the 57 minutes Zubac was Jokic’s primary defender:

• Jokic shot 32-of-72

• Scored 83 points

• Required 258 possessions to do so

That’s defensive gold.

And he wasn’t just doing work against the Joker. In 52 possessions guarding Jamal Murray—yes, Jamal Murray—Zubac held him to 18-of-38 shooting (47%) and just 40 points. For a big man, that’s elite switchability and footwork against guards.

Offense With Layers: No Longer Just a Lob Threat

Zubac has grown well beyond the pick-and-roll finisher mold. He now shows:

• A soft jump hook in the post

• Improved patience as a decision-maker in short roll

• Crisp passing vision—especially from the elbows and baseline

That triple-double vs. Houston was no accident. He sees the floor better than ever, creating dump-offs, skip passes, and keeping LA’s offense humming when teams load up on perimeter threats like Harden or Kawhi (when healthy).

The Contract That Makes Him Untouchable

Perhaps the most underappreciated part of Zubac’s rising stock is his value.

Last summer, he signed a 3-year, $58.6 million extension. His salary breakdown:

• $18.1M in 2025–26

• $19.5M in 2026–27

• $21.0M in 2027–28

In a cap-climbing league, where average starters command $25–30 million, that’s a steal. For a top-10 center who can impact both ends of the floor? Borderline robbery.

No wonder the Clippers aren’t even entertaining the idea of trading him. Durant, as great as he still is, is 36, expensive, and increasingly brittle. Zubac, by contrast, is 28, peaking, durable, and affordable.

Strategically, financially, and tactically—it just doesn’t make sense.

Why Zubac Over Durant? The Clippers’ Perspective

Let’s be clear: Durant is a Hall of Famer, a former MVP, and still an elite scorer. But he’s not a long-term solution. He’s expensive, ball-dominant, and needs a specific system and health environment to thrive.

Zubac, meanwhile:

• Fits perfectly alongside Harden and Kawhi (or whoever leads the offense)

• Plays a role with high impact and low maintenance

• Anchors the defense without requiring touches

• Sets elite screens, rebounds, and finishes at an absurd clip

He’s everything a contending team wants in a modern center—and he has room to grow.

Plus, the Clippers have already tried the “superstar trio” model. It hasn’t worked. Maybe the answer isn’t adding another aging megastar. Maybe it’s building around players who elevate the whole, not just the headline.

Final Thoughts

No, Zubac isn’t Giannis. And no, he doesn’t sell sneakers or command highlight reels. But he plays winning basketball. And in a league that increasingly values switchable defense, smart offense, and team-first mentality, Ivica Zubac might just be one of the most underrated non-superstars in the NBA.

The Clippers know it.

So next time someone asks why LA won’t part with Zubac for Kevin Durant, remember: sometimes the best move is knowing what not to move.