Oklahoma City avoids having to deal with Ibaka’s free agency in 2017 and gets protection against Dion Waiters getting a substantial offer sheet as a restricted free agent this summer.
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The Thunder traded the power forward to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and No. 11 pick Domantas Sabonis, league sources told The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski. And they get Ilyasova, a 29-year-old stretch-4 that they could waive for $400,000 before July 1, or keep to basically play the offensive role Ibaka did last season.
The Thunder originally didn’t have a draft pick this year, so this trade allowed them to make a move Thursday night. With Steven Adams looking like a cornerstone rim protector, Oklahoma City might face the prospect of moving a vital player or paying the luxury tax. Aaron Gordon could conceivably play alongside Ibaka, but the Magic needed more help on the wings, not another big man. Ibaka’s three-point ability and shot blocking prowess mean he can play next to basically any big man, but the Magic don’t have that much to gain by improving their front line.
Presuming the Thunder can re-sign All-Star forward Kevin Durant, an unrestricted free agent, it’s worth asking whether the Ibaka trade provides the boost the Thunder need. Victor Oladipo, the starting shooting guard became the odd man out as the Magic’s most tradable asset. He also has added some longer-range shooting to his game, averaging 1.7 3-pointers per game in 2015-16, tied for second on the Thunder. Ibaka’s defense was always key against the Spurs and they probably go to The Finals in 2014 if he’s healthy.
Bring him back and give it another shot with him as their evolving stretch-4, despite the fact he was growing increasingly dissatisfied with his role and was nearly a certainty to leave in free agency next summer.
Besides acquiring a defensive-minded, accomplished veteran in Ibaka, it is easy to understand why the Magic made this trade. Orlando also has the 47th overall selection. As Rob Hennigan said following the trade, “you have to trade a good player to get a good player”.
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With Oladipo traded away, the Magic are now much more likely to re-sign Evan Fournier who has been a better fit with the rest of their core. Ilysaova will hit about 40 percent of his open catch-and-shoot three’s and can take second unit minutes to give the Thunder some scoring.
