Clippers flip Muscala to Lakers for Beasley, Zubac

Mike Muscala's tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers did not even last one game as the center was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday for forward Michael Beasley and center Ivica Zubac. Muscala, who was acquired by the Clippers on Wednesday in the trade that sent Tobias Harris and two others to the Philadelphia 76ers, will still call Los Angeles home, but he will be wearing purple and gold. He averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 47 games (six starts) for the Sixers.

Beasley, who missed time in December to spend time with his ailing mother, averaged 7.0 points with 2.3 rebounds in 26 games (two starts) for the Lakers. He was in his first season with the Lakers after playing the previous 10 seasons with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks. Zubac, who started to emerge this season after injuries and illness struck the roster, averaged 8.5 points with 4.9 rebounds in 33 games (12 starts) with the Lakers. The 21-year-old had a three-game stretch in December where he went 25 of 32 from the field and scored at least 16 points in each of those games.

"For two-plus seasons, we have seen Ivica up-close and watched him develop into a skilled center," Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement released by the team. "For his age, Ivica has proven to be an energetic rim protector who can score around the basket. We are eager for him to join our group of promising young players." The Lakers still have an open roster spot, with multiple reports saying the team has an interest in adding free agent Carmelo Anthony. The veteran played just 10 games for the Rockets this season before getting traded to the Chicago Bulls, who waived him.

The trade continued what has been a busy two days for the Clippers, who moved Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott to the Sixers on Wednesday. They also waived guard Milos Teodosic on Thursday, and they traded Avery Bradley to the Memphis Grizzlies for Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green. Teodosic, 31, appeared in 60 games over two seasons with the Clippers, averaging 8.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 21.4 minutes.

"We feel privileged that Milos chose to play for the Clippers after a fantastic career in Europe," Frank said in a statement. "He has been a terrific playmaker and we are grateful for his contributions to the organization." --Field Level Media