Serge Ibaka says goodbye to Oklahoma City Thunder (Photo)

Serge Ibaka spent his first seven years in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Upon being traded to the Orlando Magic, he gives thanks to Oklahoma City.

On Thursday night, former Oklahoma City Thunder starting power forward Serge Ibaka was traded to the Orlando Magic for shooting guard Victor Oladipo, power forward Ersan Ilyasova, and the draft rights to No. 11 overall pick, Domantas Sabonis of the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Before Ibaka packed up his bags to begin the newest chapter of his NBA career, he gave thanks to the Thunder organization and Oklahoma City who happily embraced him during his first seven years in the NBA. He posted a heartfelt message on his Instragram account on Friday morning.

Thunder beat writer for The Oklahoman Anthony Slater tweeted out Ibaka’s goodbye message. In it, Ibaka called Oklahoma City “a place where [he] grew up” that helped him become the player that he is today. He thanked his former Thunder teammates, the organization, and all the Oklahomans that cheered him on these last seven years.

Ibaka is still a highly valuable stretch big in this era of the NBA. He is a terrific rim protector and has a strong outside shot for a big man. However, his role with the Thunder in 2015-16 was essentially marginalized upon the arrival of free agent big man Enes Kanter and the continued growth of starting center Steven Adams.

In Orlando, Ibaka will have the opportunity to anchor new Magic head coach Frank Vogel’s defense, as Orlando pushes to get out of irrelevancy in the cellar of the Eastern Conference. Orlando currently has the longest NBA Playoffs drought of any team in the East. With Ibaka’s leadership and all-around complete game for a big man, he’ll be a big part in the Magic’s plan to turn things around here in 2016-17.

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