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How and why did the L.A. get more value for Ivica Zubac than Dallas got for Anthony Davis?
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- How and why did the L.A. get more value for Ivica Zubac than Dallas got for Anthony Davis?
The Los Angeles Clippers , along with the Chicago Bulls , were among the most active teams at this year's trade deadline. After sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick, it was time to move on from Ivica Zubac .
The Croatian big man and Kobe Brown were traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Benedict Mathurin , Isaiah Jackson , two first-round picks and a second-round pick. One of the first-round picks is protected, while the other is unprotected.
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At first glance, comparing this to the trade in which the Dallas Mavericks moved Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton , AJ Johnson , Malaki Branham , Marvin Bagley III , and several first and second-round picks, it may appear that the Mavs got more.
Who got more in return?
But that's not entirely true. First, Mathurin has a higher ceiling and trade value for future moves than any of the players Dallas received. He has also shown the potential to develop into an All-Star, as evident from his role last season when he was instrumental in Indiana's run to the Finals.
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Additionally, the Clippers essentially pivoted from short-term contention to asset accumulation by flipping veterans for younger players and more importantly, future draft capital, highlighted by a 2029 unprotected first-round pick and a heavily protected 2026 first-rounder (Protected from 1-4 and 10-30) that can convert into a 2031 unprotected pick.
Unprotected picks transfer all the risk to the other team. If things go wrong down the line, the Clippers could end up with a high lottery pick despite not controlling many of their own, quietly reshaping their long-term outlook more than any single player received.
Mavericks are entering a full-rebuild mode
The Mavericks didn't receive any immediate-impact players. Middleton is past his peak and the other players are far from ready to fill major roles. The protected picks they received signal that Dallas is even more focused on the future than the present.
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The experiment with Davis , Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg collapsed quickly, while Luka Doncic 's shocking move was already forgotten. In today's fast-paced NBA, what happened yesterday matters less than what a team can build for the future.
The package included protected first-rounders, which can shift to later years depending on draft outcomes, as well as unprotected picks, giving Dallas full upside regardless of Washington's finish, creating high-potential lottery opportunities.
This combination allows the Mavericks to strengthen their roster now while securing long-term assets, effectively reshaping their future more through actionable pieces than through the superstar they traded away.
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Some wondered if the Mavericks could have received a player who could help immediately, but Davis' trade value has fallen drastically due to recent events. We're talking about a soon-to-be 33-year-old big man whose injury history has become a major concern.
Even so, Davis' numbers are better than Zubac's, who is currently 28 and in his peak. However, Zubac provides reliability, having played at least 68 games every season since 2019‑20, while Davis has only done so twice in his career.
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AD's heavy contracts and injuries have dropped his trade value
Another key factor is contracts. AD is on a max-level veteran deal, earning roughly $54 million in 2025‑26, rising above $62 million by 2027‑28 with a player option, making him one of the league's highest-paid players and a massive cap hit. Zu, by contrast, is on a team-friendly three-year extension totaling about $58.6 million through 2027‑28, around $18–21 million per season, providing solid starting-center value without the superstar cost, leaving the team much more salary flexibility.
It's difficult today to find a team willing to take on Davis' heavy contract, given his age and injury history, while also offering something tangible in return, as the Pacers did with Mathurin.
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In the long run, both trades secure future assets and it's impossible to say who ultimately benefits more. However, the Clippers are far from a rebuild mode like Dallas is, meaning they effectively got more value for Zubac than the Mavericks did for Davis.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
