NBA trade rumors: 5 destinations for Serge Ibaka

By John Buhler | Jun 23, 2016

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) stands on the court prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 16, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Portland Trail Blazers are really one important piece away from being an elite team in the NBA’s Western Conference. If Portland general manager Neil Olshey can find some way to upgrade his mediocre front court, the Trail Blazers can potentially make it to the 2017 Western Conference Finals.

While players like Kevin Love, Dwight Howard, Greg Monroe, and Hassan Whiteside could be in the mix to join the 2016-17 Trail Blazers, one guy that Portland shouldn’t overlook is Ibaka, especially if Northwest Division rival Oklahoma City is making him available.

Would Oklahoma City trade its starting power forward within the division? That remains the biggest issue in this theoretical deal, not including what Portland would conceivably offer. Previous front court upgrades could involve shooting guard C.J. McCollum, but Ibaka isn’t worth parting ways with McCollum at this juncture.

Portland doesn’t have a first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, but perhaps a future first rounder, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Mason Plumlee could suffice? Ibaka would be the missing piece in the Portland front court that head coach Terry Stotts needs to get this team over the top, but Olshey largely doesn’t have the assets to pry Ibaka away from a divisional foe.

Next: 4. Memphis Grizzlies.

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