The Los Angeles Lakers are still feeling the sting of a trade they made in 2019. They sent Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley to the Clippers for Mike Muscala—a deal that has aged poorly for the Purple and Gold.
Fast forward to 2025, and the regret is hard to ignore. Zubac has blossomed into a dominant force, while Muscala played just 17 games for the Lakers before leaving that same offseason. Meanwhile, Zubac has turned into exactly the kind of center the Lakers now desperately need.
During the 2024-25 season, Zubac hit career highs across the board:
- 16.8 points
- 12.6 rebounds, including 3.8 offensive boards
- 2.7 assists
- 1.1 blocks
All while shooting a stellar 62.8% from the field over 32.8 minutes per game.
Ivica Zubac had 22/17/3 v the Warriors in Chase tonight.
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) April 14, 2025
He was traded by Magic Johnson for… Mike Muscala in 2019. pic.twitter.com/ujerBxV8U2
Zubac posted personal bests in key advanced stats:
- 11.7 win shares
- 7.0 offensive win shares
- 4.7 defensive win shares
- .215 win shares per 48 minutes
- 2.3 offensive box plus/minus, 3.1 overall BPM, and a 3.4 VORP
Back in 2019, Zubac was still raw—averaging 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 17.6 minutes. Many Lakers fans questioned the trade even then.
Today, it looks worse than ever.
The Clippers just wrapped up a 50-32 season, thriving despite Paul George’s exit. Zubac’s breakout year was central to that success. As the 2025 playoffs unfold, every big game from him will only deepen the Lakers’ regret.
The Lakers could eye Jamal Murray if playoff run falls short
The outcome of these playoffs for the Nuggets will depend on Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. pic.twitter.com/drh2dwJLLQ
— JokićNuggs🃏🐎 (@JokicNuggs) April 15, 2025
The Lakers may shake up their backcourt this summer, depending on how the 2025 NBA Playoffs unfold. Their front office is closely tracking not only their own progress but also developments across the league – especially in Denver
Rumors suggest the Nuggets might revisit the idea of trading star guard Jamal Murray. That chatter has grown louder since Denver dismissed general manager Calvin Booth and head coach Michael Malone. Booth had reportedly weighed moving Murray in the past to reload for another title run. Now, with fresh leadership in place, a disappointing postseason could push the new front office to consider bold changes—including parting ways with Murray.
For the Lakers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves currently lead the backcourt. In the 26 games they played together during the 2024–25 season, L.A. went 16–10.
Reaves, who just averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on strong efficiency, is entering the final guaranteed year of his deal. He’s unlikely to pick up his $14.9 million player option for 2026–27, given his rising value.
That puts added weight on how Reaves performs in the playoffs. If he struggles and Denver makes Murray available, the Lakers could pounce. Murray, a proven postseason weapon, played a pivotal role in the Nuggets’ 2023 title run. He averages 24.2 points per game in the playoffs and owns several 40- and 50-point outings.
Luka Doncic has reached the Conference Finals and NBA Finals alongside another All-Star-caliber guard before. L.A. could look to recreate that blueprint. A short Nuggets playoff run might open the door—and the Lakers could be ready to walk through it.
READ: Lakers Prep for Timberwolves Showdown in First-Round Playoff Clash
