The trade of Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers was the Los Angeles Clippers’ primary move with an eye toward the future: California could already see its first-round Draft pick next season, depending on the Lottery outcome – either in the top five or between the tenth and thirtieth selection.
The implications for the remainder of the season have been no less significant. At 38 years old, Brook Lopez has found himself back in the starting lineup, and as seen during his stints with Brooklyn and Milwaukee, he does not have a true positional backup.
From a technical standpoint, Ivica Zubac is a classic traditional center – no perimeter shot but a solid presence in the paint on both ends. Brook Lopezin the later stages of his NBA career, is instead a big man capable of stretching the floor, often positioned beyond the arc as an offensive outlet on kick-outs. This structural difference has changed the team’s identity.
With this new setup, the Clippers have posted a 16-12 record, a result that raises questions about the effectiveness of the move even in a Playoff context.
Rebounding control: an ongoing challenge
On the rebounding front, challenges remain clear. Without Zubac, who consistently posted double-digit rebounds in recent seasons, the team has confirmed its struggles on the boards. Since the third game of February, with Lopez firmly in the starting lineup, the Clippers have stayed in the lower tiers of the league, with a slight improvement at the end of the month followed by a new dip in March, finishing with just 40 rebounds per game on average.
Offensive rebounding struggles are even more pronounced, ranking twenty-fifth over the last 28 games, with an average of 9.4 rebounds per 100 possessions.
Three-point shooting: Clippers’ surge in March
Conversely, three-point shooting has become a key factor. In March, the Clippers were among the NBA’s best teams in three-point percentage, flirting with 40%. Brook Lopez contributed a 38.5% from deepproving himself a reliable outlet on kick-outs. Despite this, the team remains near the bottom in terms of volume, reflecting a selective use of the long-range shot.
Defensive impact: the real tipping point
The most interesting aspect, however, concerns the Clippers’ defense. With Lopez in the lineup, the team has improved, moving from the lower end of the league to a mid-tier position over the last 28 games, posting a defensive rating of 113.8. His impact goes beyond shot-blocks, influencing presence, reads, and rim protection.
Looking toward the postseason, much will depend on Brook Lopez’s ability to sustain the pace and remain an effective rim protectorcompensating for mobility limitations with experience and positioning.
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