As recently as early November, the idea of Ivica Zubac serving as a trade asset for the Los Angeles Lakers — beyond his contract being used for salary matching purposes — was laughable. Zubac was coming off of a disappointing sophomore campaign and had yet to make an impact on the Lakers in his third season either.
Then he started against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans and everything changed. Zubac began a stretch of games in which he stepped up whenever the Lakers needed him, demonstrating soft hands that could catch any pass and deft touch around the rim that — along with his development into a helpful defender — allowed head coach Luke Walton to push Zubac into a bigger role.