Lakers deal Zubac and Beasley to Clippers for Muscala

February 7, 2019

In a perplexing move, the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Mike Muscala from the Clippers in exchange for Michael Beasley and Ivica Zubac.

Muscala is an outside shooting big man, and the Lakers do need more shooters to help space the floor for LeBron James.  However, they seemingly overpaid for the journeyman big by giving away promising young center Ivica Zubac.

The Lakers already had dealt for an outside shooter in wing Reggie Bullock in the days leading up to the trade deadline, and frankly, Muscala's impact figures to be marginal for a team that very well could miss the playoffs entirely this year.  Zubac, on the other hand, showed promise as a potential starter with his soft touch on offense and his rim protection on defense.

“For two-plus seasons, we have seen Ivica up-close and watched him develop into a skilled center,” said Clippers' President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. “For his age, Ivica has proven to be an energetic rim protector who can score around the basket. We are eager for him to join our group of promising young players.”

Zubac, 21, appeared in 33 games (12 starts) for the Lakers this season, averaging career-highs in points (8.5), rebounds (4.9), field goal percentage (.580) and free-throw percentage (.864) in 15.6 minutes. The 7’1”, 240-pound Croatian center was selected 32nd overall by the Lakers in the 2016 NBA Draft after playing one professional season in the Croatian A-1 League and one professional season in the Serbian KLS League.

Muscala, 27, has appeared in 47 games (six starts) for Philadelphia this season, averaging 7.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.1 minutes. The 6-foot-11 forward/center owns career averages of 5.7 points (.470 FG%, .365 3FG%) and 3.3 rebounds in 290 games (24 starts) for the Hawks and 76ers.

Beasley will likely be waived by the Clippers.  In 26 games for the Lakers, averaging 7.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com

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