The Boston Celtics might be gearing up for a major swing, with Los Angeles Clippers big man Ivica Zubac is officially on their radar.
The Los Angeles Clippers aren’t just losing games, they’re losing stability. At 6-16 and buried near the bottom of the Western Conference, the franchise has already severed ties with Chris Paul in a stunning midseason decision. And as the dysfunction grows, one player continues to rise above the chaos: Ivica Zubac.
The 28-year-old center is in the middle of one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 16.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 60.3 percent shooting. He’s been the Clippers’ only consistently elite performer, a reliable interior anchor on a roster that has crumbled around him.
But his strong play has only intensified trade speculation and the league is watching closely.
Why Zubac’s Market Is Heating Up
NBA insider Brett Siegel recently reported that Zubac has drawn “significant interest” from contenders, with the Boston Celtics specifically highlighted as a potential landing spot once Jayson Tatum returns from injury. Siegel also named the Clippers as a team to monitor if Boston explores moving Anfernee Simons and his $27.6 million expiring contract.
That hint gained traction when Fadeaway World floated a hypothetical framework:
Boston receives Ivica Zubac and Derrick Jones Jr.
Los Angeles receives Anfernee Simons, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick.
On the surface, Boston doesn’t appear desperate for frontcourt help. Neemias Queta is having a breakout season, averaging 9.7 points and 8.4 rebounds on 65.6 percent shooting while anchoring the interior during Tatum’s absence. But for a franchise with championship expectations, the question isn’t whether Queta is good, it’s whether he’s enough. Zubac shifts that answer dramatically.
He brings size, playoff experience, rim protection, and a high-efficiency offensive game that can withstand postseason physicality. He also handles 30-plus minutes against elite frontcourts, something Queta hasn’t yet proven. In short, Zubac raises Boston’s ceiling in a way that matters when the calendar flips to May and June.
Derrick Jones Jr. further sweetens the package. A switchable wing averaging 10.5 points on strong efficiency, Jones has the length and motor to fit seamlessly into Boston’s defensive identity. He guards up and down the lineup, pressures the ball, and fills immediate rotation needs.
Why the Clippers Would Listen
For Los Angeles, this is about value and direction. Zubac is on a team-friendly three-year, $58.6 million extension. He’s coming off an All-Defensive second team selection and remains one of the league’s most reliable centers. Trading him would not be about talent— it would be about resetting the roster.
Landing Simons and multiple picks provides a clean starting point. Simons’ scoring gives the Clippers flexibility, and the draft capital adds to the long-term rebuild if they decide to tear down the roster around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
The financial component matters too. Moving Zubac for Simons helps Boston drop roughly $9 million in salary, placing them below the first apron and close to the luxury tax line, a key long-term goal for ownership. That flexibility could reset repeater penalties and open a cleaner cap sheet moving forward.
Why Boston Would Consider Paying the Price
In Siegel’s words, “It would be very interesting to see if the Boston Celtics would get involved and look to acquire Zubac as their franchise center moving forward.”
They should. A healthy Tatum restores Boston’s contender status. Adding Zubac and Jones gives them two postseason-ready pieces that directly support a title chase. And with the Eastern Conference tightening, frontcourt stability could become the deciding factor.
The deal remains hypothetical, but not unrealistic. Zubac’s production, contract, and postseason pedigree make him a real name to watch as the league approaches the unofficial start of trade season.
Jalon Dixon Jalon Dixon is a multi-platform sports journalist and content creator specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage. He blends writing, podcasting, and video analysis to deliver accessible, in-depth perspectives on basketball and beyond. More about Jalon Dixon
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