2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Ivica Zubac: 4 years, $28 million (Los Angeles Clippers)
Restricted free agent center Ivaca Zubac has agreed to a four-year, $28M deal to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers, Excel Sports agents Jeff Schwartz and Mike Lindeman tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
No one should view Ivica Zubac as anything less than the weakest link in the Los Angeles Clippers‘ starting five, but since that lineup is now going to be stacked with Patrick Beverley, Landry Shamet, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, that’s not even an insult.
Zubac is probably best remembered for being the talented young center the Los Angeles Lakers traded away for 17 games of Mike Muscala, but the reason he’s remembered that way is the immediate signs of growth he showed for Staples Center’s more competent franchise. In 25 starts in 26 games with the Clippers, Zubac posted 9.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game.
He’s not a terrific defender, but he’s got plenty of potential at only 22 years old. A four-year investment is significant for a team looking to contend for titles now, but with such a deep bench and two MVP-caliber weeks, it’s not the end of the world if he only remains an adequate NBA spot starter, especially at a moderate annual price.
Grade: B-