Any hopes the Boston Celtics may harbor of acquiring Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline were quickly extinguished this week.
Responding to a fan question on Instagram’s Threads, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst made it clear that the Clippers have no intention of moving their defensive anchor.
“Well, Zubac is absolutely not available and absolutely not a stretch big,” Windhorst wrote. “But yes, this is an area where Boston needs to replenish after losing Porzingis and Horford, and they will be looking for opportunities.”
The clarification arrives days after Zubac was floated as a possible trade target for Boston, whose center depth has rapidly thinned.
Celtics’ Frontcourt Problem Intensifies After Summer Losses
The Celtics entered the season thin at the center position after losing Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet last summer. While Neemias Queta has been a bright spot—averaging career highs of 10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks—he is not viewed internally or leaguewide as a long-term starting-caliber center for a contender.
This vulnerability has fueled speculation that Boston will aggressively pursue frontcourt upgrades ahead of the February 5 deadline.
Trade Pitch Linking Celtics to Zubac Gains Traction — Then Gets Shut Down
GettyIvica Zubac of the LA Clippers looks for a shot against Luka Garza of the Boston Celtics.
Last week, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel proposed a scenario in which Boston would acquire Zubac by sending Anfernee Simons and draft capital to the Clippers. Siegel noted that Los Angeles previously expressed interest in Simons while he was with the Portland Trail Blazers.
League feedback on Zubac’s availability, however, has been contradictory.
“There have been mixed signals around the league … but the early indication is that Los Angeles would demand at least two first-round picks,” Siegel wrote.
The Celtics, in theory, could meet that price. Boston continues to win despite its injuries, and Simmons is in the final year of his contract—making him a flexible trade chip.
But Windhorst’s remarks effectively close the door on any Zubac scenario.
Why the Clippers Won’t Move Zubac — Even Amid a Down Season
Despite the Clippers’ slide toward the bottom of the Western Conference, they have little incentive to trade away core pieces. Their 2026 first-round pick is owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to the franchise-altering Paul George–Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deal.
Even if the season goes sideways, the Clippers cannot tank.
Zubac, meanwhile, remains one of the NBA’s most productive big men. He made the All-Defensive Second Team last season and finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. This year, he is averaging 16.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 block.
That production, combined with his team-friendly contract and age, explains Los Angeles’ firm stance.
Celtics’ Remaining Center Options: Nets Duo, Mavericks’ Gafford
With Zubac off the table, Boston’s focus may shift elsewhere.
Potential targets include Nic Claxton (Nets), Day’Ron Sharpe (Nets) and Daniel Gafford (Mavericks).
However, Windhorst delivered more bad news on that front.
“The Mavs just lost their starting C for the season — do not assume Gafford will be moved,” he wrote, referencing Dereck Lively II’s season-ending foot surgery.
That leaves the Nets as Boston’s most realistic path to a center upgrade.
Celtics Already Explored Nets Trade Frameworks
In November, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that the Celtics held exploratory conversations with the Nets involving Simons and potential frontcourt help.
Those talks were not exclusively about Simons. Boston had internally discussed signing Sharpe in free agency and believed he could compete for a starting role despite the team being limited to offering the veteran minimum.
Revisiting those conversations may now be the Celtics’ most attainable option for meaningful center help.
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