The San Antonio Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama with the number one overall pick, and the team is already building around him. The 7’4 big man is set to make his Las Vegas Summer League debut on Friday, but the Spurs are slow playing their talent acquisition. They did not splurge their cap space on a marquee free agent. San Antonio is going to take their time and correctly build their roster around the French prodigy.
Marc Stein reported on July 5 that the Spurs are still searching for a center to pair with Wemby (subscription required) in year one. The 7’4 big man’s long-term position is likely at the five, but he needs some time to add strength and fully grow into his body to get there. San Antonio has the most cap space in the league, but the free-agent center market is not strong. P.J. Washington and Mo Bamba are the top options, but neither is likely to play in San Antonio.
Who could the Spurs target? There are plenty of names in the rumor mill, and San Antonio has more draft picks than they can make over the next seven years, so which players are available?
5. Ivica Zubac
Jake Fischer reported that Zubac is available in trade talks on June 30. The seven-footer has been the Clippers starting center for three of the last four years, and he is coming off arguably the best season of his career as Zubac averaged 10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 28.6 minutes per game.
The 26-year-old should be just entering his prime and is under contract for two years at $22.6 million in total. That is a modest salary for a capable starting center that provides size, rebounding, and rim protection to any roster. At 7’0 and 240 pounds, Zubac could battle in the paint as Wembanyama serves as a weak side shot-blocker and havoc creator on defense.
Ivica Zubac is a traditional big man that struggles to guard on the perimeter. The San Antonio Spurs could bring the best out of him, but he has a limited skill set. That does not stop him from being a solid and available fit at the five next to a rookie Victor Wembanyama.