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Los Angeles Lakers: Why trading Ivica Zubac isn’t as bad as it seems

By Jason Reed

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 06: Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul call during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 06: Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul call during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Ivica Zubac is a restricted free agent after this season

Perhaps part of the reason why the Los Angeles Lakers were okay with trading Ivica Zubac is because the big man is set to be a restricted free agent this summer. While the Lakers could ultimately lock up Zubac to keep him from leaving, that might not have been the team’s long-term goal.

We are not really sure what the plans are for the Lakers, whether it is trading for Anthony Davis or pursuing free agent talents this winter. Either way, money is important and Zubac could have potentially cost the team more money than it likes.

With Zubac being a free agent, any team in the league can offer him a contract and the Los Angeles Lakers would have to match it. While it probably would not get a huge amount, it would be a number and length that is probably more than the Lakers wanted to pay.

Instead of letting him walk like Julius Randle the Los Angeles Lakers instead flipped him for a decent shooter and a roster spot to sign LeBron’s friend. Is it the right move right now? Maybe not. Is it going to be negative for the Lakers in the long run? Probably not.

This completely goes out the window is Zubac signs a two-year, $8 million contract next summer. However, we rarely see contracts that small in the NBA and chances are that the Lakers are projecting him to get offers that they do not want to match.

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