There could be a new solution to the Boston Celtics’ frontcourt depth issues. According to Clutchpoint’s NBA Insider Brett Siegel, Los Angeles Clippers big man Ivica Zubac could become available if the Clips decide they want to enter a full rebuild.
“There have been mixed signals around the league from teams that have contacted the Clippers about Zubac and if they are actually willing to discuss his name in trade talks, but the early indication is that Los Angeles would demand at least two first-round picks, sources said,” Siegel reported on Wednesday.
Siegel's reporting stemmed from the Clippers' decision to release veteran guard Chris Paul, after he reportedly was too critical of the team during their 5-15 start. The first franchise that Siegel pointed to as a possible suitor for the Zubac in an L.A. fire sale was Boston.
Celtics could trade for Ivica Zubac
“It would be very interesting to see if the Boston Celtics would get involved and look to acquire Zubac as their franchise center moving forward,” he continued. “Boston clearly has a hole in their frontcourt to fill, and this team has proven that they can still compete in the Eastern Conference, especially once Jayson Tatum returns from his Achilles injury.”
In years past, it was always tough to seriously link the Celtics to any of the appealing names that’d become available during trade season. Any player who made enough money to match the salary in hypothetical deals was too important to actually think about moving.
That’s not the case anymore. Now, they’ve got Anfernee Simons and his $27 million contract. Simons isn’t a bad player by any means, but he doesn’t necessarily represent a need for Boston, who has players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to rely on in the backcourt.
Apparently, the Clippers think pretty highly of Simons, or at least they used to, according to Siegel.
“Another key piece of information making the Celtics an interesting trade partner for the Clippers is that they have Anfernee Simons, a young guard Los Angeles has expressed interest in previously while he was with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources said,” Siegel revealed. “Simons is in the final year of his contract, and if the Clippers can get a few draft picks from the Celtics for Zubac, that could be an intriguing scenario for them to discuss.”
An Ivica Zubac trade would be massive for the Celtics
If a hypothetical deal netting the Celtics Zubac for Simons and two first-round picks came across Brad Stevens’ desk, he’d have to at least consider, right?
Zubac just signed a three-year $58.6 million extension with the Clippers. In other words, he’s under team control for a few years on a team-friendly contract. Plus, he’s coming off of an All-Defensive second team selection last season, where he averaged career-highs in both points and rebounds. He’s putting up similar numbers this year, on slightly less-efficient shooting, which may have something to do with the heavy dose of injuries the Clippers have faced so far.
Trading for him would not only make the team better by adding much-needed help to the frontcourt but also would further lower Boston’s payroll, which was a massive goal going into the summer.
If the deal were Simons and picks for Zubac, it’d save the Cs roughly $9 million in salary, bringing them below the first-apron threshold and within $3 million of the luxury tax line. Getting below the tax line this season could be huge for the Cs. It would enable them to fully reset the repeater tax penalties as soon as next season, which enables ownership to spend less to field a great roster.
It’s a bit early to get too excited about his potential fit in Boston, but Zubac is a name to watch as the unofficial start to NBA trade season approaches.