Serge Ibaka leaves the Toronto Raptors to join the Los Angeles Clippers in a two-year $ 19 million deal. Ibaka has a player option in 2021 which can make him become a free agent again.
It was a bittersweet day on Nov. 21 for the Toronto Raptors.
Yesterday is where Raptors fans found out that Fred VanVleet had agreed to re-sign with Toronto to a four-year $ 85 million contract with a player option in the final year of his contract.
But, while they were celebrating VanVleet’s return, Raptors fans also found out that Serge Ibaka was leaving Toronto to join the Los Angeles Clippers.
Free agent Serge Ibaka plans to sign a 2-year, $19M deal with the Clippers, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 22, 2020
Ibaka, who averaged a career-high 15.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.4 APG, is a good pick up for the Clippers because they need a center, especially with Montez Harrel signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also reunites with former Raptor and two-time finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
With Ibaka gone, Toronto now needs to fill the void of his role with another center.
I've had great teammates, front office and staff next to me. And of course, a fan base that is second to none. So thank you Toronto. Thank you, Canada. And thank you @Raptors. I am one of yours forever. #WeTheNorth
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) November 22, 2020
So, who can Toronto get? Who is still available?
Here are some centers that are available right now that the Raptors can sign to replace Ibaka.
Chris Boucher
Chris Boucher has spent two years with the Raptors. The 27 years old center averaged a career-high 6.6 PPG and 3.7 RPG with 13.2 minutes per game.
With Ibaka gone and the status of Gasol still unknown, Boucher’s minutes will go up. He has shown some potential with the limited minutes he played.
So, with more minutes, Boucher gets the opportunity to show his full potential on the court. I am not expecting to average 20 and 10 because that is not what the Raptors need him to do.
They need him to grab rebounds and play defense. So, I am expecting him to average around 12 and seven.
Boucher is a restricted free agent right now. He can still return to the Raptors even if he signs with another team because they can match the offer.
They should sign him as soon as possible so they do not have to match the offer because it could affect the cap space for 2021.