The Serge Ibaka Trade isn’t a Grand slam
By Mustafa Noor
With the first big trade before the deadline, Serge Ibaka is on his way to Toronto. What potentials pitfalls are there with this trade?
Tuesday the 14th of February 2017 is a monumental day in Toronto Raptors history. This was the day Masai Ujiri went all in. Masai Traded Terrence Ross and a first round pick for Serge Ibaka. This trade was met with approval and enthusiasm from basketball experts. However, there are real concerns about this trade. Let’s explore them
First of all, let’s be clear. The Raptors have improved as a team. For years, fans have asked for the team to upgrade the Power forward situation in Toronto. A revolving roster of Sullinger, Siakam and Patterson isn’t good enough to win the East. Theoretically, Ibaka should help with this. A closer look at his production, athleticism and contract reveals potential pitfalls now and in the future.
He isn’t a good defender anymore
Ibaka was once known as a defensive force of nature. Opponents feared going into the paint as they knew it was likely they would have trouble scoring. At his peak during the 2012-2013 NBA season he was averaging 3 blocks a game. This meant he was leading the league in block shots. Fast forward to this season, he is averaging 1.6 blocks a game. This is the lowest amount since his rookie year. The reason for the decline is simple. He has lost his athleticism
His lack of athleticism this year is perfectly illustrated by his lack of rebounding this year. From a high of 9 rebounds 3 years ago, he is currently averaging 6 rebounds a game. He isn’t able to jump as high as he used to. This limits his ability to soar up and get the rebound. His lack of lateral and vertical movements contributes to him being the 10th worst rim protector in the NBA by opponent field goal percentage. In Orlando he seemed to lack effort defensively. Wings would blow past him in the pick and roll for an uncontested lay-up.
His contract situation
The Raptors have some difficult decisions to make this summer. They have three players who could be free agents this year: Kyle Lowry, Patrick Patterson and Serge Ibaka. Currently, the Raptors have the 8th highest payroll in the NBA. We saw in the summer of 2016 what the market for big men was. Mozgov received 4 years and $64 million. Joakim Noah got 4 years and $72 million. Former Raptor Bismack Biyombo got the same contract as Noah.
It’s not a stretch to say that Ibaka is better than every player named. Ibaka wants to be paid next season along with Lowry. This could be anything from $72-100 million on a four-year deal, which will put the Raptors into the Luxury tax for the 2017-18 season. This is without signing Patterson to a new contract. Masai is determined to resign Ibaka in the summer. Otherwise, the Raptors got a very expensive rental for a couple of months.
The Raptors will have two albatross contracts in the summer to deal with. A 30-year-old point guard (Lowry) and a supposedly 27-year-old declining power forward (Ibaka). One thing is clear; the Raptors can’t afford to keep all three free agents this summer. The priority is to resign Lowry first and Ibaka second. Patterson will likely leave during the summer
There is hope and cause for concern
Ibaka is a capable starting power forward in the league. He is tying his career high in points and seems to have recovered from his disastrous last year in Oklahoma. The Magic was a bad defensive team and this could explain why he has declined defensively this year. Offensively, he offers 3 point shooting which the Raptors badly need. The fate of Ibaka and his impact on the team will be a defining moment in Toronto Raptors history. Cavaliers forward Kevin Love’s injury gives the Raptors a chance to move up in the Eastern conference. If the Raptors get beat down by the Celtics/Wizards/Cavaliers and Ibaka leaves in the summer, the trade will be a damming indictment on Masai Ujiri.
What do you guys think about the trade? Comment below.