The Boston Celtics are in the midst of a dream season after climbing all the way up to second in the Eastern Conference with a 23-12 record. What started off as a gap year turned into a season with real postseason aspirations. With Jayson Tatum's potential return looming and the East looking wide open, the Celtics have every right to believe in their chances.
In fact, their desire to be buyers at the trade deadline further proves this. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported on Tuesday that the Celtics have engaged in trade discussions with the LA Clippers regarding Ivica Zubac. The price tag was reportedly at least two first-round picks, but nothing obviously came to fruition. With the Clippers starting to play better and winning seven of their last eight games, those negotiations have been tabled for now.
If the Clippers start struggling once again, the Celtics should still have a chance to acquire the 28-year-old center. It turns out, however, Boston is not alone in its pursuit of the two-way big man. Scotto added that the Indiana Pacers have also expressed interest in the Clippers starter.
Celtics May Be in a Bidding War for Ivica Zubac
The reigning NBA finalists are in a similar situation as the Celtics after losing Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles tear in Game 7 against the OKC Thunder. Their season is not going nearly as well as the Celtics' as they are stuck at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. After Myles Turner's departure, however, they are desperately looking to find a long-term solution at center, and their interest in Zubac is therefore understandable.
Multiple suitors for Zubac should drive up his price tag. Not only is Zubac potentially the best center on the market, but he is also on a team-friendly contract that pays him $18.1 million this season and $19.5 million next. For a cash-strapped team like the Celtics who don't want to take on significant long-term money, Zubac's contract is as good as it gets. Boston could easily acquire Zubac by parting ways with Anfernee Simons' expiring contract in addition to draft capital.
The Clippers' season needs to take a turn for the worse for them to consider parting ways with Zubac. Considering that they are one James Harden or Kawhi Leonard injury from disaster, that remains a real possibility. If the Clippers remain out of the play-in picture around the trade deadline, the Celtics may be in for a bidding war with the Pacers for Zubac's services.