The OKC Thunder not only find themselves beelining it to becoming the third team in league history to earn 70 or more wins, but also earn a high-end lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft along the way.
As a result of the gift that keeps on giving 2019 blockbuster that essentially swapped Paul George for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City owns the unprotected rights to the LA Clippers' upcoming first-round pick, which, considering their putrid start to the campaign (5-11) and continued injury woes, seems on its way to becoming a top 10 selection.
It's easy to assume that Los Angeles would enjoy nothing more than to regain full ownership of their 2026 draft rights, and, based on a recent hypothetical proposal by The Athletic's Sam Vecenie, there very well could be a way for this to happen, though it would cost one of their last remaining valuable assets in the process.
Thunder trade idea swaps Clippers' pick for Ivica Zubac
During a recent edition of the Game Theory Podcast, Vecenie discussed how teams across the league will be closely monitoring the Clippers' draft odds as the season progresses, as the idea of the reigning champion and odds-on favorites to repeat this year, the Thunder, adding the "third or fourth overall" pick to their dynasty-pushing arsenal is a frightening thought for title hopefuls.
However, during this segment of the episode, the idea of Oklahoma City returning the rights back out to Los Angeles for big man Ivica Zubac was proposed.
While it may sound a tad ridiculous on the surface, Vecenie would bring up the concept of how primary pivot Isaiah Hartenstein is likely playing through his final go-around out in Oklahoma City due to his current contract situation, as well as the fact that Sam Presti and company will be looking to cut costs drastically after 2025-26 to try and evade crippling tax penalties.
For the longest time, I-Hart and his $28.5 million club option for 2026-27 have been viewed as the most likely contract that will be parted with next offseason, which, in turn, would leave a 7-foot-sized hole at their starting center position.
Though it's reasonable to believe coach Mark Daigneault could look to replace his spot in the lineup by either sliding Chet Holmgren back down to the five or entrusting 2025 first-round pick Thomas Sorber (currently redshirting his rookie campaign due to a torn ACL) as their center of the future, Vecenie's idea of adding on a talent like Zubac to fill such a void is certainly an enticing option as well.
After all, we're talking about a borderline All-Star who's posting impressive averages of 16.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while boasting a career per 100 possessions defensive rating of 109.
Of course, what makes this hypothetical transaction all the more enticing is the fact that, following this season, Zubac will have two years remaining on his highly affordable $58.6 million payday that, from a cap percentage standpoint, steadily depreciates.
In exchange for the 7-foot behemoth, Los Angeles would regain their draft rights, which almost certainly would send them into a soft tank to try and get the best young prospect they possibly can in this supposedly stacked 2026 NBA Draft class.
While some may believe the Thunder could be interested in pursuing such talents themselves, being that they're in a win-now mode, it actually may be a preferable option to land "an incredibly cheap, unbelievable screen setter big man who fits perfectly within our scheme" like the 28-year-old Zubac instead.