The LA Clippers fell just short of a playoff appearance this season. They went 42-40, which is pretty good given the circumstances that they were facing this season, before losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
One of the reasons that they were able to stay afloat despite Kawhi Leonard being sidelined the entire season and Paul George playing in only 31 was the performance of Ivica Zubac. He just wrapped up his sixth season in the league and took another step in the right direction with his development.
Zubac produced career-highs across the board, averaging 10.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and one block in 24.4 minutes per game. He is an efficient scorer and was very happy with how he played during the season, his third full one with the Clippers after being traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to them in 2019.
“I think I did better than the previous year,” Zubac said on his 2021-22 performances with the Clippers. “I think that I improved on some stuff. There was more opportunity for me offensively and I think I took advantage of that. We didn’t make the playoffs in the end but considering all the injuries and missing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard throughout the season, I think we did a pretty good job in the regular season. Fighting and finishing with a winning record.”
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If things continue trending in the same direction, Ivica Zubac will be heading into free agency on a high note in 2023. He will not even be in his prime yet, so teams shouldn’t hesitate to sign him to a long-term deal as he will have plenty of years of excellent production ahead of him.
However, if he has his way, there won’t even be a need to test the market. Zubac would love to stay with the LA Clippers and he believes the feeling is mutual. He has spent his entire career in the city of Los Angeles and doesn’t have any plans to leave.
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“I want to stay and I think they want to keep me,” Zubac said. “I think I should be there and they’re going to pick it up. I like Los Angeles a lot and I like the Clippers. It’s like a family to me. Hopefully, everything is going to work out.”
Tyronn Lue has provided Ivica Zubac a chance to expand his role on the team and he took full advantage. While some of that could be a product of their best players being sidelined, Zubac still has to play well and more often than not, he did.
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Only 25-years old, he is someone that the LA Clippers should be looking to retain long-term as a piece of their rotation.
