3. Ivica Zubac
This is it, big man. Time to let the Lakers know they made the right choice by keeping you around this offseason instead of kicking you to the curb like they did with Julius Randle and Thomas Bryant.
Up to this point, most of Ivica Zubac’s value has been hypothetical. Sure, he’s had some good games, showing well at times when he gets minutes. It’s all great when you consider his humble beginnings and standing as a 2016 second round pick. However, two years later, we should be at the point where he’s ready to make a consistent impact.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a concrete indication of that. The only thing we have to go off of right now is the front office’s apparent confidence in the young center.
But was it the right choice? Was keeping Zubac a better long-term move than keeping Bryant? It remains to be seen, but the future looked bright for Bryant before he was let go. If he shines with the Washington Wizards while Zubac’s development remains stagnant, the choice could soon come into question.
The former No. 32 overall pick looked like a hidden gem when the Lakers first drafted him. Now, he’s headed into what could be a make-or-break year for his NBA career. Zubac seemingly took a step backwards as a sophomore. If he does so again during his third year in Los Angeles, it could be the end of the line.