Ivica Zupac’s asking price is high as LA focuses on a Chris Paul deal

While it is Los Angeles Clippers have been the subject of trade rumors since shipping Chris Paul home while traveling east, asking price for starting center Ivica Zubac is just weeks away from the trade deadline. Networks forward Michael Porter Jr. has been linked to the Clippers. However, before Los Angeles can make a significant splash in a deal that could include Zubac, they will need to get Paul off the books.

Finding a replacement for Paul remains up to the Clippers top priorityaccording to Tomer Azalri of ClutchPoints.

“Anfernie Simmons and Collin Sexton, definitely guys that have been associated with the Clippers, and I think it’s very important to note that all three guys here are expiring contracts. So the Clippers, if they were to make a move, they wouldn’t be taking any long-term salary. That would give them a short-term extension there, with another opportunity to go from A to A.”

“I will say the Clippers needed a little bit of ball handling — a little bit of playmaking help this year. Kawhi Leonard had to do a lot, and we saw him have the best year of his career, scoring, rebounding; he just does everything for them,” Azalri concluded.

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden could use the extra weight lifted off their collective shoulders as the Clippers’ playmaking options.

“James Harden, we’ve seen, has worn out a little bit lately, shooting 40 percent from the field in the last month,” Azalri added. They need to find a suitor for Paul in the sense that they can open and pay.”

Moving Paul was more difficult than the Clippers envisioned, but they were able to land a potential suitor before the deadline, and some believe Ivica Zubac could also be in the running. However, the Clippers could receive multiple offers for Paul when teams in the market withdraw their first- or second-guard options.

Kawhi Leonard gets ‘playoff mode’ from Clippers’ Ty Lue

Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard is playing at a high level as the team has won eight of its last 10 games. After a 119-105 win against the Wizards, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue praised Leonard’s performances of late, according to Clippers beat writer Joey Lin.

“The mode he’s in right now, it’s like coaching Kawhi in the playoffs. He gets to the playoffs, he goes to the next level. Ever since that Laker game, I’ve thought he’s going to go to the next level. Every night we want to go through. It’s been huge for us as far as winning games.”

The Clippers have won 11 of their last 13 games.