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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Nov 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) attempts a shot against Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Now that Dwight Howard will officially opt out of his deal with the Houston Rockets to become a free agent, Houston has a major hole to fill in its roster’s construction. Houston has an elite scorer in All-NBA shooting guard James Harden, but losing Howard makes the Rockets’ front court less than ideal.

Under the new coaching regime in Houston, head coach Mike D’Antoni could realistically run his patented ‘seven-seconds-or-less’ offense with Harden thriving in it as the league’s leading scorer. Defensive coordinator Jeff Bzdelik will provide the necessary tactics on that end of the floor that D’Antoni often overlooks.

Perhaps one of the best fits for what the Rockets could want in their new look front court is Oklahoma City’s Ibaka. Presti did make the Harden trade with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey four summers ago and may be reluctant to doing business with Houston again.

However given that Ibaka might end up walking anyway next summer (and so could Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook!), Presti may want a Clint Capela or Donatas Motiejunas and a future first round pick to get something instead of nothing for Ibaka.

Next: 2. Boston Celtics.

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