The L.A. Clippers have overachieved this season due to great coaching, a strong culture and a sound front office. They've also been blessed with a little luck. Take for example the trade that sent Mike Muscala across the hall to the Lakers for Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley.

The trade made little sense at the time, besides the Lakers' desperation to add some shooting for LeBron James after their week-long spectacle of trying to trade for Anthony Davis went awry hours before the trade deadline.

This trade, only the second one ever between these two teams, was whimsical in nature — with no prior talks taking place before the offer was put on the table — making longtime front office executive Jerry West share a hearty laugh at the Lakers' expense.

Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin:

“Shortly after the trade deadline, Clippers consultant Jerry West — who spent more than 40 years with the Lakers as a player, coach and executive — got together for dinner with old friends who also had former Laker ties, sources said. He couldn't believe how Zubac fell into his lap. The Clippers, sources said, never even called the Lakers to inquire about Zubac. The Lakers made the offer and the Clippers gladly accepted.

“Sources said those at the dinner table shared a hearty laugh at the Lakers' expense.”

The Lakers later expressed concern about being able to keep Zubac for the long-term, yet this is one trade that didn't even get a counteroffer, a sign that one team is already getting the best of the other.

In 20 games as a starter, Zubac is posting 9.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in a feather under 20 minutes per game — all career-highs.