Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Missed Opportunity with the Lakers

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a prominent figure in Los Angeles Lakers history, recognized for winning five NBA championships during his 14-year tenure with the franchise. A 19-time All-Star, Abdul-Jabbar transitioned to coaching after his playing career, serving as an assistant coach for the Lakers from 2005 to 2011. His deep connection to the team and its legacy has led him to express interest in mentoring new talent.

Newsweek

Ivica Zubac, drafted by the Lakers as the No. 32 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, was identified by Abdul-Jabbar as a player he wanted to mentor. Zubac recounted in an interview that after several workouts, Abdul-Jabbar expressed a desire to join the Lakers' coaching staff to work with him and other big men. However, despite a meeting with Magic Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar did not secure a position with the team. Zubac was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, where he evolved into a significant contributor, culminating in a career-high average of 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds during the 2024-25 season.

Newsweek

In a recent trade, Zubac, along with Kobe Brown, was sent to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and multiple draft picks. Currently, Zubac has not yet debuted for the Pacers due to an ankle injury and paternity leave. The Pacers are struggling with a 15–40 record, positioning them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. This situation presents Zubac with an opportunity to establish himself as one of the league's top centers as the team heads toward the draft lottery.

Newsweek

Despite his illustrious career and desire to mentor young players, Abdul-Jabbar has faced challenges in securing coaching roles. He was overlooked for head coaching positions at UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks, both of which are organizations he previously played for. This trend raises questions about the barriers faced by former players seeking to transition into coaching roles.

Newsweek

Zubac's reflections on Abdul-Jabbar's mentorship aspirations highlight the missed opportunity for both the player and the legendary coach. He noted, “After a few workouts, he told me he wanted to mentor me and work for the Lakers. Unfortunately, that never happened.” This sentiment underscores the potential impact Abdul-Jabbar could have had on the Lakers' future talent.

Newsweek

• “After a few workouts, he told me he wanted to mentor me and work for the Lakers. After that, he had a meeting with Magic, and I don’t know what happened there, but he never got a job with the Lakers. He wanted some kind of role with the team just to work with me and the big guys, but unfortunately that never happened.” — Ivica Zubac

Newsweek

As Zubac aims to recover from his injury and make an impact with the Pacers, Abdul-Jabbar's future in coaching remains uncertain. The ongoing developments in Zubac's career may serve as a reminder of the potential benefits of mentorship in professional sports, highlighting the importance of opportunities for experienced players to guide emerging talent.

Newsweek