Tears and tough decisions: Clippers' trade of Harden and Zubac took emotional toll
The atmosphere inside the Intuit Dome shifted dramatically this week, marking the end of the Los Angeles Clippers' era as the NBA’s oldest roster. In a pair of blockbuster moves that President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank described as necessary but emotionally devastating, the team parted ways with two pillars of their starting lineup: James Harden and Ivica Zubac.
The dismantling of the core began with a deal sending Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. The trade was driven by what Frank termed a "Godfather-type offer"—a package simply too valuable to refuse—but the transaction carried a heavy personal cost. Zubac, the longest-tenured Clipper, had become synonymous with the franchise's grit. The center’s departure was particularly heart-wrenching as it coincided with the birth of his first child. Frank revealed that Zubac returned to the facility for a six-hour "lovefest" to say goodbye to staff and teammates, a scene that left "a lot of tears" in its wake.
Simultaneously, the Clippers executed a pivot toward youth by shipping the 36-year-old Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In return, Los Angeles acquired 26-year-old All-Star guard Darius Garland. While Harden had exceeded expectations, carrying the offense through Kawhi Leonard's injury absences, the front office prioritized extending their competitive window. Garland, currently recovering from a lingering toe injury, represents the "better tomorrow" Frank is chasing, even if it means sacrificing immediate stability.
The emotional toll of these decisions extended to the locker room's remaining star. Leonard, now the sole survivor of the team’s "Big Three" era, reportedly expressed disappointment at losing his battle-tested running mates. However, Frank noted that Leonard understands the business reality: to remain sustainable in the relentless Western Conference, the Clippers could no longer rely on an aging roster. By acquiring Garland and capitalizing on Zubac's peak value, the franchise has officially turned the page, trading the certainty of the past for a younger, albeit uncertain, future.
The dismantling of the core began with a deal sending Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. The trade was driven by what Frank termed a "Godfather-type offer"—a package simply too valuable to refuse—but the transaction carried a heavy personal cost. Zubac, the longest-tenured Clipper, had become synonymous with the franchise's grit. The center’s departure was particularly heart-wrenching as it coincided with the birth of his first child. Frank revealed that Zubac returned to the facility for a six-hour "lovefest" to say goodbye to staff and teammates, a scene that left "a lot of tears" in its wake.
Simultaneously, the Clippers executed a pivot toward youth by shipping the 36-year-old Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In return, Los Angeles acquired 26-year-old All-Star guard Darius Garland. While Harden had exceeded expectations, carrying the offense through Kawhi Leonard's injury absences, the front office prioritized extending their competitive window. Garland, currently recovering from a lingering toe injury, represents the "better tomorrow" Frank is chasing, even if it means sacrificing immediate stability.
The emotional toll of these decisions extended to the locker room's remaining star. Leonard, now the sole survivor of the team’s "Big Three" era, reportedly expressed disappointment at losing his battle-tested running mates. However, Frank noted that Leonard understands the business reality: to remain sustainable in the relentless Western Conference, the Clippers could no longer rely on an aging roster. By acquiring Garland and capitalizing on Zubac's peak value, the franchise has officially turned the page, trading the certainty of the past for a younger, albeit uncertain, future.
