Orlando Magic recently traded for Oklahoma City Thunders' Serge Ibaka but new trade rumors have surfaced claiming that the Toronto Raptors is after the player. However, it will not be this offseason but instead will possibly take place during the 2017-2018 NBA Season.
Ibaka is set to become an unrestricted free agent this next NBA season and an insider shared that many things are still going to change but Ibaka is on the minds of the officials with Toronto Raptors.
Ibaka joining the Toronto Raptors could be great for the NBA team as they still have no power forward despite signing Jared Sullinger and retaining Patrick Patterson. Analysts are saying that Ibaka could work well with center Jonas Valanciunas if he spaces the floor offensively and protecting the rim defensively, NBC Sports reported.
Toronto Raptors also recently had an impressive run during the Eastern Conference Finals last season. However, they are still a young team trying to develop a good roster so it is possible that Ibaka would be a great addition to the team. Ibaka could also play well alongside DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry since they are dubbed as dual-threat guards. However, they lost Bismack Biyombo who ended up signing with Orlando Magic in free agency this offseason.
Biyombo was one of the key players of the Toronto Raptors last NBA season especially after Valanciunas was injured in the postseason. Ibaka is reportedly seen as one of the most possible players to fix the problem of the Toronto Raptors due to Biyombo's exit from the team. Ibaka could play as the power forward.
Ibaka averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last NBA season. He also shot 47/9 percent from the floor overall. Ibaka is reportedly expected to sign a long-term deal with Orlando Magic but anything could happen until the 2017-2018 NBA season.
However, this is the same rumor that surfaced last season surrounding Nicolas Batum. Batum was traded to Charlotte Hornets last summer and shortly after that he was rumored to be acquired by the Toronto Raptors. During the off-season, Batum re-signed with Charlotte Hornets.
