5 trade ideas to save the Toronto Raptors
By Adam Stocker
1. Terrence Ross, Jared Sullinger and two 2017 first round picks to Orlando for Serge Ibaka
At the NBA draft, the Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder engaged in trade talk over Serge Ibaka. Ultimately, Raptors’ general manager Masai Ujiri balked at the Thunder’s asking price of Cory Joseph, Norman Powell and the ninth overall pick. The Raptors instead drafted Jakob Poeltl with the pick, and the Thunder traded Ibaka to the Orlando Magic.
The Magic sit near the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference. Ibaka is a free agent at the end of the season, and they may want to get an asset for him if they know he will be signing elsewhere in free agency. Ujiri has attempted to get Ibaka before and has developed a relationship with the African born player. The relationship may give Toronto an advantage when trying to sign Ibaka to an extension.
Over the past few seasons, Ibaka has improved his shooting and developed a 3-point shot. Ibaka’s ability to stretch the floor makes him an ideal candidate to play next to Valanciunas. He is no longer the shot blocking presence he was early in his career with Oklahoma City but he is still a good defender. Trading him while keeping Patterson should give them the frontcourt depth they need to make a run at the Cavs.
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For the Magic, they are going to have to rebuild. The roster is poorly constructed. Adding two first round picks, allows them to add two young players on relatively cheap contracts. Sullinger is a free agent at the end of the season. With the expiring contract of Jeff Green, the Magic will be clearing over $20 million off their cap. Ross is under contract for the next two years but could help their wing rotation and add shooting. For Magic fans, hopefully they spend the money better than they did last off-season.