Few basketball minds are as effective as Brad Stevens when it comes to squeezing maximum value out of the center position, no matter the talent on hand. From his days as head coach, where he guided an Eastern Conference No. 3 seed powered by Daniel Theis, Grant Williams, and Enes Freedom, Stevens has always either unearthed the perfect fit for the role or assembled a platoon to patchwork a solid effort and deliver results.
This year, he’s set to pull off another masterstroke by trading for Ivica Zubac.
The Boston Celtics claimed a championship in 2024 largely thanks to Stevens’ savvy moves—acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, but even more crucially, bringing in Al Horford two offseasons earlier and repeatedly re-signing Luke Kornet. This gave the team a wealth of options at the 5, anchoring a versatile lineup stocked with switchable wings who could score from anywhere on the court.
This season, after Stevens allowed all three of those bigs to depart, the Celtics have turned to budget-friendly replacements—and they’ve delivered. Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have emerged as the most reliable anchors in the center rotation, with Jordan Walsh and Josh Minott providing crucial rebounding support at the 4.
Queta, in particular, has been performing at a starter’s level, averaging over 10 points, eight rebounds, a steal, and a block per game. Beyond the numbers, Queta has honed his craft in the nuances of the game: he’s evolved into an elite screener, sharpened his post positioning, mastered effective box-outs, and leveraged his size to become a more disruptive force around the rim on defense.
Queta has undoubtedly earned his minutes on the floor. However, pushing him to carry too heavy a load could prove risky.
His tendency to rack up three fouls per game raises concerns. While Garza has been solid in his role, he’s ideally suited as a third-string option, not thrust into starting duties following a single ill-timed injury.
That’s why the Celtics are making waves with this blockbuster: shipping Anfernee Simons to the Clippers in exchange for Ivica Zubac.
Positioning Queta as a dynamic change-of-pace big aligns perfectly with the 26-year-old’s current strengths. He’s on the cusp of being a bona fide starting center, but that “close” might not cut it as the team chases a second title in three years.
Enter Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who elevates everything Queta brings to the table—and does it better. Though not as athletic, Zubac exudes confidence in battling down low in the post.
This is the epitome of a win-now acquisition. And the best news? It was highly attainable. According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, the Clippers had shown interest in Anfernee Simons amid their shifting backcourt dynamics following Chris Paul’s abrupt departure.
“Another key piece of information making the Celtics an interesting trade partner for the Clippers is that they have Anfernee Simons, a young guard Los Angeles has expressed interest in previously while he was with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources said. Simons is in the final year of his contract, and if the Clippers can get a few draft picks from the Celtics for Zubac, that could be an intriguing scenario for them to discuss,” Siegel reported.
Integrating Zubac creates a lethal 1-2 punch at the pivot, delivering virtually every desirable trait between the Croatian standout and Queta—except for floor-spacing. But with the rest of the lineup bombing away from deep (last year’s squad, featuring most of the same sharpshooters, shattered records for three-point attempts and makes), that gap is hardly a concern.
This unthinkable move cements Stevens’ legacy as a front-office wizard, bolstering Boston’s quest for back-to-back glory with a dominant 7-foot force ready to dominate the paint.