The Raptors have used rookie Pascal Siakam, Bebe Nogueira, and Patrick Patterson at the position to mixed results.
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The 27-year-old Ibaka had been one of the rumored targets of Danny Ainge and the Celtics, averaging 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Magic. Something needed to give.
“I think he’s a great addition to any team, especially ours where we add some shot-blocking, some outside shooting, some inside toughness, some athleticism running up and down the floor”, Lowry said of Ibaka.
Toronto is a more unsafe team with Ibaka on the roster.
But Ibaka is not a bad defender, and stands in as an undeniable all-around upgrade over what Toronto previously had.
The Toronto Raptors made a huge move to improve their roster for the final push of the regular season, reportedly acquiring Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic Tuesday. It’s a terrific move from Ujiri.
With the National Basketball Association trade deadline nearing, the Magic and Raptors have pulled off a deal that involves Serge Ibaka.
Toronto plans to re-sign the free-agent-to-be in the offseason.
Giving up on Ibaka also helps clear a frontcourt logjam with Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic. But even if one acknowledges that the return for Ibaka was fair, one must also admit that the Magic have shortcomings on both sides of the ball and are still a ways away from becoming a perennial playoff team.
Terrence Ross dunking against the Washington Wizards.
At least Ross is in the middle of a career season. Ross is in the first year of a three-year, $31 million contract. The Raptors hold their own pick as well as the Clippers 1st round pick.
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It’s an understandable deal for Orlando, but a no-brainer for Toronto. Ibaka is a better, more important player than Ross to this team, and the Raptors will figure out the requisite trickle-down effects as necessary. But if these recent weeks and recent games have been a trial run, then it should open the Heat’s eyes to Tyler Johnson’s best fit going forward. Masai Ujiri has long coveted him.
