2017: Mafuzzy Chef – Serge Ibaka
After making the Eastern Conference Finals for the first-time in 2016, the Raptors acquired Serge Ibaka in a 2017 mid-season trade with the Orlando Magic. Toronto had hopes of recouping its defensive identity which was slightly lost after departures from Bismack Biyombo and James Johnson in the offseason.
The Raptors sent former lottery pick Terrence Ross to the Magic, along with a 2017 first round pick. Ross was an electric player in Toronto who showed flashes of greatness, but lacked a true role on a team that was looking to make a championship push behind DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
Despite the trade not paying instant dividends as the Raptors got swept by the Cavaliers in the 2017 playoffs, Ibaka quickly turned into a fan-favorite amongst the city of Toronto and is fondly remembered for his role on the Raptors' 2019 championship run.
Despite the trade not paying instant dividends as the Raptors got swept by the Cavaliers in the 2017 playoffs, Ibaka quickly turned into a fan-favorite amongst the city of Toronto and is fondly remembered for his role on the Raptors 2019 championship run.
Ross turned into a solid player for the Magic but never took that next step that many in Toronto were hoping for when they drafted him eighth overall. As for the first-round pick that was given up, the Magic would draft Anžejs Pasečniks 25th overall, a player who only managed 28 games in the NBA – another chapter in the Masai Ujiri masterclass.