NBA players really like their numbers. A lot of times when players head to new teams via trade or free agency, players will try and buy or bargain for a number that they have worn through their entire NBA career. With Serge Ibaka being traded to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, it put him in a tough position as Orlando already had a player wearing the number 9 that Ibaka has always worn. On Friday that player, veteran center and Magic “star” Nikola Vucevic made it clear that Ibaka would have to find a new number.
Welcome to the team @sergeibaka9! Might have to change that number on your twitter name though 😉...
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) June 24, 2016
The most obvious possibility is that Ibaka ends up rocking the number 14 which is what he wears
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when he plays for the Spanish National team in international competitions. That number was worn by Jason Smith last season but Smith is an unrestricted free agent and even if he does come back Ibaka is a big enough name and has enough money to likely be able to work something out for the number if he really wants it.
On the bright side at least Vucevic let Ibaka know so early so that he has plenty of time to think about things. Numbers are a big deal, especially for players brands, so Ibaka needs to make sure that he makes a good choice with his new digits.