The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned Ivica Zubac to their D-League affiliate, the teams announced on Wednesday. The 32nd overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft will suit up for the L.A. D-Fenders in their game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Thursday.
OFFICIAL: The @Lakers have assigned Ivica Zubac to the D-Fenders. He is expected to participate in tomorrow’s game vs. Rio Grande Valley. pic.twitter.com/RPtvnRbDIe
— L.A. D-Fenders (@DFenders) November 16, 2016
This demotion is obviously because the rest of NBA simply isn’t ready to be dominated by Zublocka and needs some more time to prepare. It’s only fair to give the Kevin Durant Warriors a little more time as the league’s premier super team.
But in all seriousness, it’s clear that the dynamic rookie center wasn’t going to be able to get the crucial development minutes he needs with the Lakers right now. With Timofey Mozgov and Tarik Black both healthy and performing well and Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. also seeing time at the five, there was simply no spot for Zubac in the current frontcourt rotation. Zubac has played 27 minutes over 3 games with the Lakers this season, recording 7 points, 5 rebounds, and one steal.
For now, Lakers fans will have to settle for a D-League team coached by a guy named Kobe Coby and featuring the next G.O.A.T.
