NBA Legend Denied Lakers Coaching Job, Zubac Reveals

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wanted to mentor young Lakers center Ivica Zubac but was never hired by the team.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was interested in rejoining the Lakers' coaching staff to mentor young center Ivica Zubac over a decade ago, but was never hired despite meeting with team executives like Magic Johnson. Zubac, who was recently traded to the Indiana Pacers, revealed that Abdul-Jabbar had wanted a role with the Lakers specifically to work with him and the team's big men, but that opportunity never materialized.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges even NBA legends can face in securing coaching jobs, as well as the Lakers' missed opportunity to leverage Abdul-Jabbar's expertise to develop their young talent like Zubac. It also provides insight into Zubac's early career and the factors that shaped his development as a player.

The details

According to Zubac, after a few workouts with Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers legend told him he wanted to mentor him and work for the Lakers. Zubac said Abdul-Jabbar had a meeting with Magic Johnson, but was never hired for a coaching role. Despite his storied career and desire to help develop young players, Abdul-Jabbar was later passed over for head coaching jobs at UCLA and the Milwaukee Bucks.

  • Around a decade ago, Abdul-Jabbar offered to help train the post–Kobe Bryant era of Lakers big men.
  • In 2019, the Lakers traded Zubac to the Los Angeles Clippers.
  • During the 2024-25 season, Zubac averaged a career-high 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds over 80 games.
  • This month, Zubac was traded from the Clippers to the Indiana Pacers.

The players

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

A legendary NBA player who won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and later worked as an assistant coach from 2005 to 2011.

Ivica Zubac

A 28-year-old center who was recently traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Indiana Pacers.

Magic Johnson

A former Lakers player and executive who met with Abdul-Jabbar about a potential coaching role.

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What they’re saying

“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, NBA Player (X&O's Chat)

What’s next

Zubac has yet to make his debut with the Indiana Pacers due to an ankle injury and paternity leave, but will have an opportunity to establish himself as one of the league's top centers as the team rebuilds.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges even legendary NBA figures can face in securing coaching jobs, as well as the Lakers' missed opportunity to leverage Abdul-Jabbar's expertise to develop their young talent like Zubac. It also provides insight into Zubac's early career and the factors that shaped his development as a player.