Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players facing make-or-break 2017-18 seasons

Ivica Zubac, C

This could be a career-defining campaign for Ivica Zubac, even though he’s headed into his sophomore season in the NBA. It may seem a tad early for a 20-year-old big man, but his career trajectory could change drastically based on how things go in 2017-18.

Now I know what you’re saying — how can this be such a big season for Zubac if he’s not even the starter? Brook Lopez is on the roster and doesn’t have a history of injury issues, so there should only be so many minutes for Zubac to earn. Despite that, the Croatia native needs to prove he can make plays no matter how limited his minutes are.

Why? Because Lopez’ contract is up in 2018. Chances are the Lakers aren’t going to re-sign him with some elite talents currently in their crosshairs. If that’s the case, Los Angeles will need to find an alternative at center.

If Zubac steps up and shows significant progress in Year 2, maybe the Lakers decide he can handle starting duties. However, if he stumbles as the second unit center, Magic and co. could decide to go in a different direction. That could mean drafting another big man or signing a free agent.

Whichever option the Lakers choose will likely come down to how Zubac performs in 2017-18. Can he assert himself as the center of the future, soaking up as much of Lopez’s knowledge as possible before his departure? Or will his inconsistency and raw talent overshadow his upside, forcing Los Angeles to look elsewhere for their new starting center in 2018-19?