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 /

5 of 6

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – FEBRUARY 21 :Serge Ibaka #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a three point shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers during a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on February 21, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

East. Atlantic. Boston Celtics. 2. player. 18.

After falling to the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals despite being up three games to one in the best-of-seven series, the Thunder will probably look to upgrade their wing depth this offseason.

Roberson, Durant, and even Dion Waiters played fine during the Western Conference Finals, but the team seemed to tire in that brutal series using a meager eight-man rotation. If Thunder head coach Billy Donovan can get a player or two to honestly push that rotation to a 10-man one, Oklahoma City can win the Western Conference and play in the 2017 NBA Finals.

If there is any team in the NBA that would even consider parting ways with highly coveted wing players, it’s the Boston Celtics. Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, and R.J. Hunter are just some of the players that could be shipped to Oklahoma City to acquire Ibaka.

What Ibaka could do is be that dynamic pick-and-roll partner All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas would want in the low post. Since Ibaka’s offensive game extends to that beyond the arc, he’s the ideal type of stretch four or stretch five that Boston head coach Brad Stevens would want if he can’t land Kevin Love.

Boston has the assets to pull off a draft day trade with the Thunder for Ibaka. If a trade does go down with these two playoff teams involving Ibaka, do expect at least one of Boston’s two later first round picks and two of the five players mentioned earlier to be a part of the deal. Gaining Ibaka makes the Celtics Eastern Conference Finals caliber. From there, it’s all about playoff matchups.

Next: 1. Los Angeles Lakers.

Home/Boston Celtics