NBA trade rumors: 5 destinations for Serge Ibaka
By John Buhler
The Oklahoma City Thunder are putting their starting power forward Serge Ibaka on the trading block. Here are five teams that make sense for Ibaka.
According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, the Oklahoma City Thunder have put their starting power forward Serge Ibaka on the trading block for the 2016 NBA Draft. Ibaka once was the third wheel of the big three in Oklahoma City, but injuries and the emergence of starting center Steven Adams has marginalized Ibaka’s value with the Thunder.
Realistically, Oklahoma City is a well-run basketball organization that is looking to extract as much value as the Thunder can for a great shot blocker, defense presence, and a solid stretch five in Ibaka before he presumably walks in 2017 NBA free agency.
Essentially, Ibaka is falling out of favor in Oklahoma City for matters out of his control. He’ll still be a great player in the NBA, but will probably have to continue his seven-year NBA career on another franchise besides the Thunder for that to happen.
Should Thunder general manager Sam Presti be able to orchestrate a draft day deal involving Serge Ibaka, here are five teams that would make a ton of sense for the veteran Thunder power forward to land with this summer in the last year of his contract.
Next: 5. Portland Trail Blazers.