Serge Ibaka (Photo : Getty Images)
After the speculation on which power forward the Toronto Raptors will choose, the NBA trade rumors came to a head as the Serge Ibaka deal was finalized.
Reports stated that Ibaka was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first round pick from the Raptors. Toronto owns their draft pick and also the LA Clippers first round pick. The Magic will receive whichever is lower.
The Magic paid a high price to acquire Ibaka, as SB Nation stated. "The Magic shipped Ilyasova, Victor Oladipo, and their No. 11 pick in last year's draft (Domantas Sabonis) to OKC for their stretch-ish four."
It would be wishful thinking to expect the Magic to recover what they gave up, given that Ibaka is an impending free agent. That was a risk that the Magic took (Toronto would not give up much for Ibaka last summer) and are now paying the price for.
Because free agency is just around the corner, trading for Ibaka would be a three month rental at most. Teams that won't reach the playoffs should not even consider it. For contenders, the Raptors were the one team that had the most need at the position.
The Magic has been thinking about trading Ibaka since the offense wasn't working out (compounded by their choice of free agent, Bismack Biyombo who's virtually a younger Ibaka without the offense).
Then Orlando took this strategy: "Had the Magic held off until closer to the trade deadline, they may have gotten more for Ibaka, an expiring contract and serviceable rim-protector who sometimes doubles as an offensive threat. Then again, those offers reportedly weren't rolling in."
The hope for Orlando is that they could still redeem themselves, as Basketball Insiders mentioned that their work wasn't done yet. "As for the Magic, this deal could be just the beginning. Players like Jeff Green, C.J. Watson and Nikola Vucevic have all surfaced in trade rumors recently and will be some players to watch as the trade deadline approaches on February 23."
With the trade for Ibaka, the Raptors now have what it takes to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite their current slump, parading a starting cast of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, DeMarre Carroll, Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas is formidable.
