Ivica Zubac, a pivotal figure in the ongoing Ivica Zubac Lakers trade saga, has become a significant challenge for his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James recently acknowledged on his podcast that Zubac consistently plays with extra intensity against the Lakers following his trade to the Clippers in 2019. This development has drawn attention as Zubac was later moved to the Indiana Pacers, where he is expected to continue his growth alongside star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tracing Ivica Zubac’s Journey from Lakers to Clippers and Beyond
Ivica Zubac was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2016 NBA draft. He spent the early years of his career developing with the Lakers, but his tenure with the team ended at the 2019 trade deadline when he was traded to their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers. Over nearly eight seasons with the Clippers, Zubac became a cornerstone of their lineup, contributing heavily to the franchise’s historic first appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
During his time with the Clippers, Zubac emerged as one of the league’s premier two-way centers, showing significant improvement in his offensive skills while maintaining a dominant presence on defense. Despite a poor start during the 2025-26 NBA season — where the Clippers were languishing at 14th place with a 6-21 record — the trio of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Zubac ignited a late-season surge, winning 17 of their last 22 games together. However, with the Clippers still trailing as contenders in the Western Conference, the team opted to shake up its roster in a bold move that included trading Zubac.
LeBron James Observes Zubac’s Extra Drive Against the Lakers
LeBron James arrived at the Lakers in 2018, just as Zubac was entering his third season with the team. The franchise’s focus at that point was to build a squad capable of winning championships around LeBron, culminating in their 2020 NBA title. This priority led to the trade of Zubac and Michael Beasley to the Clippers in exchange for Mike Muscala, a decision that ultimately favored the Clippers’ roster.
Since the trade, Zubac has consistently appeared to play with heightened motivation whenever facing the Lakers. LeBron himself has publicly recognized the challenge Zubac poses on the court during these matchups. On the Mind The Game podcast, LeBron said:
“I don’t know if Zubac still hates the Lakers because of the trade, but whenever he plays us, he kicks our a**. He’s gigantic; I don’t think a lot of people understand how big he is. Great hands around the rim, great touch. I don’t know if it’s a Lakers thing, like when guys play against us.”
– LeBron James, NBA Player
LeBron’s admission reflects a broader reality: many players bring extra energy and determination when competing against the Lakers. For Zubac, the personal history of being traded appears to amplify this effect, transforming these encounters into something more charged and intense.
The Lakers’ Decision to Trade Zubac Seen as a Missed Opportunity
The trade that sent Zubac to the Clippers has been re-evaluated with hindsight as a costly misstep for the Lakers. Zubac has matured into one of the NBA’s elite centers, earning an All-Defensive Team selection last season. Conversely, Mike Muscala, who was acquired in exchange for Zubac, did not make a notable impact and eventually moved on to the Oklahoma City Thunder shortly after joining the Lakers.
The Lakers later secured superstar Anthony Davis, improving their roster, but many analysts and fans consider the decision to let Zubac go as a key mistake that limited the team’s depth in the frontcourt.
Adding to the complexity, Zubac recently made comments that could be seen as a subtle critique of Lakers management during an interview on the X’s & O’s Chat podcast. He revealed that legendary Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar expressed interest in joining the team’s staff to mentor him and other big men. However, Zubac suggested that Magic Johnson, a prominent Lakers figure, may have played a role in preventing Abdul-Jabbar from securing such a position:
“He [Abdul-Jabbar] had a meeting with Magic, and I don’t know what happened there, but he never got a job with the Lakers. He wanted some kind of role with the team just to work with me and the big guys, but unfortunately that never happened. After a few games, he came to watch and Luke Walton drew up a play for me to shoot a baseline sky hook. I missed it and that was the end of them drawing plays for me.”
– Ivica Zubac, NBA Center
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s coaching opportunities have been sparse since his retirement in 1989, making this missed collaboration with Zubac all the more disappointing. Still, Zubac’s own development has persisted independently, benefiting his career and the teams he now plays for.
LeBron James Reacts to Zubac’s Trade to the Pacers
In a strategic move at the 2026 trade deadline, the Indiana Pacers acquired Ivica Zubac to replace Myles Turner, who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Zubac’s recent performance with the Clippers—averaging 14.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 43 games—indicated he was ready to take on a leadership role for the Pacers.
LeBron James spoke highly of the acquisition, emphasizing how well Zubac’s skill set aligns with the Pacers’ roster, especially with the anticipated return of their star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton. On the Mind The Game podcast, LeBron shared his thoughts:
“I think it’s a great pick up for Indy, especially going into the future after losing Myles Turner to Milwaukee. With Tyrese coming back at some point with Zu, it’s going to work well. Zu works well with playmaking point guards or playmaking players, and Tyrese is one of our best playmakers in our game. Kudos to Indiana bringing him in there. They saw his talent, he’s still young, relatively, and I think he’s gonna be good, and I think Tyrese is gonna love him.”
– LeBron James, NBA Player
The synergy between Zubac and Haliburton is expected to enhance the Pacers’ competitiveness in the Eastern Conference. Although the team currently sits near the bottom of the standings, the return of Haliburton from an extended injury layoff signals the franchise’s confidence in its championship window.
“Indiana is getting a special player in @ivicazubac and he’s going to flourish with @Hali as his PG.Tap into an all new episode. Presented by @draftkings #ad”
– Mind the Game Podcast
What Zubac’s Evolution Means for NBA Teams and the Lakers Moving Forward
The trajectory of Ivica Zubac’s career highlights the complexities and long-term consequences that come with trading promising young players. His growth into one of the premier centers in the league underscores the importance of evaluating player potential beyond immediate team needs. The Lakers’ 2019 decision to trade Zubac is now viewed as having underestimated his future impact, especially given how he consistently challenges them on the court.
For the Indiana Pacers, Zubac’s arrival offers a fresh opportunity to strengthen their frontcourt as they aim to rise in the Eastern Conference hierarchy. Together with Tyrese Haliburton, Zubac could help transform the Pacers into a solid contender over the next few seasons.
LeBron James’s candid recognition of Zubac’s toughness against the Lakers also sheds light on the competitive spirit players bring when facing their former teams, often turning rivalries into intense battles. The Lakers will likely need to reconsider their roster strategies and approaches if they want to maintain their status as strong contenders in the league.
LeBron takes notice of players going extra hard when they face the Lakers 😅
“I don’t know if Zubac still hates the Lakers cause of the trade but whenever he plays against us, he kicks our ass.“
(via @mindthegamepod, h/t @WITNESSKJ)pic.twitter.com/rK5sxvUDjo
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 17, 2026
Indiana is getting a special player in @ivicazubac and he’s going to flourish with @Hali as his PG.
Tap into an all new episode. Presented by @draftkings #ad pic.twitter.com/RkBtsldzkQ
— Mind the Game (@mindthegamepod) February 17, 2026
