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Former Lakers Player Opens Up About Unexpected Trade to Clippers

Originally posted on FanNation All Clippers
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated 2/20/24

Getting traded in the NBA is never a fun process. It often involves relocating your family, house, and having to live in a temporary place as you get settled in. However, getting traded from the Lakers to the Clippers is a much easier experience - just ask Ivica Zubac.

In 2019, Ivica Zubac was famously traded by the Lakers to the Clippers in a trade that most Laker fans now rue and lament. Zubac on the other hand, was thrilled about it. He explained the whole process on an episode of Podcast P.

"I was cool with it, I was happy with it," Zubac said on an episode of Podcast P. "I went somewhere where I was like, I'm a starter every night, gonna get my minutes, it's a young team, I was happy."

The best part of the trade for Ivica Zubac was not only the fact that he didn't have to move, but the fact that the Clippers were playing the Celtics right after the Lakers were. Zubac didn't even have to switch hotels in what he described as the easiest trade ever.

"Didn't move. The crazy part is, we was playing Boston when I was with the Lakers, we had a shootaround," Zubac said. "We were supposed to play Boston that night, I get traded after shootaround. I get a call, I look up Clippers schedule, they're playing Indiana that night, they're flying to Boston tomorrow. I didn't even switch hotels or anything. Stayed in the same hotel. Played the game in Boston, went back to LA, same house, same everything. Easiest trade ever."

It doesn't get easier than getting traded between two teams in the same building. It's a unique experience that very few players in sports have ever experienced, and one that gives Ivica Zubac a very rare perspective.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Clippers and was syndicated with permission.

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