How Lakers sat back years of rival trade

With Anthony Davis sidelined because of an Abdominal loadLakers find themselves shrinking – again – for answers in the middle position.

It is a well -known situation a franchise has been trying to solve for years. While its matches are lasting, a potential long -term solution was once right in front of it, and it just let him go over the hallway.

In February 2019, Lakers Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley sent to Clippers in exchange for Mike Muscala hoping to add a floor distance large to the stretch drive. The move was questionable from the start.

Muscala played only 17 games in Purple and Gold, an average of 5.9 points and 2.6 rebounds before traveling in free agency. Lakers, filled with injuries, missed the playoffs with a record of 37-45.

Zubac meanwhile wasted no time to prove his value. The then 21-year-old was an average of 9.4 points and 7.7 rebounds after the trade and has since cemented himself as a starting caliber center for a Clippers team filled with star power.

Now 27 he enjoys a career-best season in 2024-25 and posted 15.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks per year. Match.

A rotating door in the middle

While Zubac found stability, Lakers has cycled through a long list of temporary solutions to the position. Their 2020 championship -threatening formula for Javale McGee and Dwight Howard was a short -term success as the front office could not build long -term continuity in the middle.

Since then, Lakers Big Man Rotation has included Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Andre Drummond, Deandre Jordan, Thomas Bryant, Mo Bamba, Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood – a constant switching that has resulted in a lack of consistency, damage and defensive instability.

This rotating door has put extra pressure on Anthony Davis and forced him to log several minutes in the middle – something he has long preferred to avoid.

Meanwhile, Clippers Zubac secured a team-friendly three-year expansion, $ 33 million in 2022, an offer considering his production. Even his current three-year-old, $ 58 million contract extension remains solid value for a player of his caliber.

A short -term trade that still hurts

At the time of trade, Lakers was focused on clearing Cap space for their possible persecution of Anthony Davis. But in their urgent victims, they sacrificed a promising young big one who could have given a long -term response in the center.

Had they held Zubac, Lakers could have developed him as a defensive anchor with Davis, saved Cap space and avoided many years of instability on the position. Instead, they handed over their Crosstown rivals a reliable, cost-effective starting center-a decision that continues to haunt them.

With each season that goes without a clear answer in the center, Zubac’s presence works in a Clipper’s uniform as a painful reminder of one of Lakers’ most regrettable janitor in the latest history.