Clippers sign Ivica Zubac to three-year, $58M max extension, according to report

The Los Angeles Clippers have locked in big man Ivica Zubac on a three-year, $58 million extension, as has been reported. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This was the maximum extension Zubac could sign. He is now guaranteed $70M for the next four years. Zubac is guaranteed $11.7M for this season before the extension kicks in in the 2025-26 season.

Here is a breakdown of the deal’s annual figures, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks:

• 2025/26: $18.1 million
• 2026/27: $19.5 million
• 2027/28: $21.0 million

Zubac is a value signing at this number. He does a lot for the Clippers, who rely heavily on him for high-level rim protection and efficient post play. The Clippers signed some good players this offseason. Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn and Nicolas Batum will all help, especially defensively, but the loss of Paul George is the story of the summer.

After signing Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $152 million extension in January and giving James Harden a two-year, $70 million deal this summer, letting George go for nothing was a strange decision. If they were always going to do it to avoid a second apron line, why did they trade three first-round picks for Harden in the first place?

This team probably isn’t a contender after losing George; though it probably wasn’t a contender either, given Leonard’s always-screwed-up health. But still, these peripheral signings help and Zubac is a very good player. If Leonard, Harden and Zubac, who is probably the third most important player on the team, stay healthy, the Clippers will still be somewhat of a factor in the West.

Overall, this is a good deal for Zubac and the Clippers.