Serge Ibaka (Photo : Sam Greenwood | Getty Images Sport)
The NBA trade rumors are getting official confirmation as the trade deadline nears, and now the speculation on Serge Ibaka will finally push through.
Ibaka was the big trade acquisition that the Orlando Magic paraded last summer, but he was not really the star that will push them to the next level. Thus, the speculation and trade rumors commenced.
Now, the latest reports have declared that the Magic are indeed shopping him. Sean Deveney of Sporting News has the lowdown.
"League sources told Sporting News that the Magic have picked up their attempts to move Ibaka ahead of next month's trade deadline, eager to ensure that they come away with some return for a player who does not figure to be in Orlando long. Ibaka will be a free agent this summer. There is no chance of a Biyombo trade, not after the Magic paid him $70 million for four years this offseason," Deveney wrote.
However, a trade is not on the horizon yet because the Magic are looking to recoup their investment in Ibaka which at this point is simply not possible. Deveney quotes an anonymous executive to confirm this.
"They're asking too much," one front office executive said. "(The Magic) would probably like to make a few moves there, but Ibaka is the one they're really pushing because he is going to leave. But they have had too high a price. They want a young player and a pick, two young players - you know, a package that can get them back some assets. They're not going to get that. Not for three, maybe four months of Serge Ibaka."
Where would Serge Ibaka go? The Boston Celtics are the usual suspects, but they are still pining for a big star and it was proven that Ibaka is not the franchise-changer that the Magic wanted him to be.
Teams lacking a piece which Ibaka can fill could be the key. That is why Matt Moore of CBS Sports named the Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers as candidates.
"The Toronto Raptors desperately need Ibaka. They need a stretch four who can defend ably and Ibaka is perfect. If they can put together a deal, they should push, considering the assumption that Atlanta's Paul Millsap is indeed off the market," Moore wrote.
The Blazers also have a star backcourt tandem in the West and Ibaka could plug their defensive shortcomings.
There are other teams with interest in Ibaka and a bidding war could ensue-which is what Orlando wants. However, if Paul Millsap is placed back in the market, that could affect Ibaka's trade value.
