Ivica Zubac: The Ideal Trade Target for Celtics Center Needs

With the NBA Trade deadline just over a week away, trade talks between teams will begin heating up. For the Boston Celtics, that likely means conversations regarding a starting-level center will be taking place. According to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, speaking via the “Celtics Talk Podcast,” Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers would be the ideal target for Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office. “I think he’s the one guy I would be willing to splurge on a little bit,” Forsberg said. “His contract is so desirable. He checks a lot of boxes. (He’s) always in the top 20 in defensive rebounds. I think he led the NBA in defensive rebounds last year. He shores up your biggest need immediately. The defensive potential is obvious…For me, it comes down to plug-and-play. He fits this team. He’s kind of the perfect guy for this team.” Zubac is in the first year of a three-year $58.6 million contract. He’s one of the better big men in the NBA and would solve multiple issues for the Celtics. However, there’s no guarantee the Clippers would be willing to part with their starting big man, especially now that they’ve turned their season around. Any deal for Zubac would likely see the Celtics part with at least one of their younger talents, along with draft assets. Clippers May Not Be Interested In Trading Zubac According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, in a recent post for the Stein Line Newsletter, the Clippers’ interest in moving on from Zubac has faded as the season has progressed. “I was impressed by how focused the Clippers looked last Friday when they came to Barclays Center and promptly trounced the Nets,” Fischer reported. “I can likewise tell you, based on conversations with numerous teams, that any hopes that the Clippers would part with Zubac or James Harden have faded significantly.” Zubac, 28, is entering the prime years of his career. Unless the Clippers pivot toward a roster rebuild, it’s hard to envision them moving on from the 7-foot center. That is, unless a mammoth offer crosses their table, which is something the Celtics should avoid. The Celtics Can Afford To Wait There’s no doubt that sooner or later, Boston will need to add another big to the rotation. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza are both talented big men, but neither projects to be a starting center on a championship team. Still, with Queta and Garza as the primary center rotation, the Celtics have climbed to second in the Eastern Conference. They look like a team capable of making a deep postseason run, especially if Jayson Tatum returns from his Achilles tendon injury. As such, Stevens can afford to be patient in his search for a long-term solution at the starting five spot. There’s no need to rush, especially with the team performing well and exceeding all expectations for what was supposed to be a gap year. Being patient may mean missing out on Zubac. Nevertheless, patience is a virtue, especially if it stops you from overpaying during negotiations.