Sources: Ibaka heading to Magic; 3 off to OKC
The Orlando Magic have agreed to acquire forward Serge Ibaka in a multiplayer trade Thursday night, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The Thunder will receive guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to power forward Domantas Sabonis, who was taken with the 11th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night, sources confirmed.
The Vertical first reported the deal.
Ibaka, a first-round pick of the Thunder organization in 2008, turns 26 in September. He agreed to a four-year extension in 2012 worth $48 million and is owed $12.25 million in 2016-17. The move will give the Thunder some added salary-cap room with Kevin Durant set to become a free agent on July 1 and Russell Westbrook able to hit the open market next offseason.
Ibaka is a three-time NBA all-defensive player. He led the league in blocks for four straight seasons, before finishing fourth in the category in 2014-15 and third last season. He has also added some longer-range shooting to his game, averaging 1.7 3-pointers per game in 2015-16, tied for second on the Thunder.
Ibaka called the 2015-16 season his most challenging, this after averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game — his lowest marks in four years.
He was asked to be a do-everything forward, something he admitted after the season was difficult mentally.
“No more fake 4,” Ibaka said at exit interviews, after the Thunder were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in seven games of the Western Conference finals.
“My mind is ready to play 1, 2, 3, 4. Yeah, it wasn’t easy playing different roles and both ends of the floor. But it was good for us, good for the team. It was helpful, and that’s why we got this far, because everybody did their job.”
With Durant’s free agency looming over all Thunder personnel decisions, the move is a gamble, but one that gets the team younger, and deeper. Instead of it being a move to brace for a Durant departure, the Thunder see it as one that strengthens their position to keep him.
Ibaka, no doubt an important part of the roster, was becoming unsatisfied with his place on the team. There were growing grumbles from him about his role and responsibilities, with him lamenting his touches at one point during the regular season. With Ibaka’s contract up after next season, there was a growing sentiment he would look for another team in free agency.
The 6-foot-10 Ibaka, a “founding father” of the organization as general manager Sam Presti has called him, was selected by the Thunder 24th overall in 2008. He was asked at the team’s exit interviews about his future with the organization and he said he was positive he’d remain.
“No, I’m not worried,” Ibaka said of his future earlier this month. “I’m not thinking, and I’m not talking about this. I’m still a Thunder. I’m going to wear the Thunder jersey next year, so there’s nothing to talk about right now, because it’s not important.”
In Oladipo, 24, the Thunder add a slashing, attacking guard that is a capable defender and a solid 3-point shooter. The Thunder have been enamored with Oladipo as they tried to move up in the draft in 2013 take him.
Ilyasova, 29, is a stretch 4 who has played for the Bucks, Pistons and Magic. His $8.4 million contract is only guaranteed for $400,000 before July 1.
The son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis averaged 17.6 points and 12 rebounds for Gonzaga as a 6-foot-10 power forward during his sophomore season.
The Magic are coming off a 35-47 season in which they missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season and are looking to add talent and depth.
Information from ESPN’s Jeff Goodman and Chris Broussard was used in this report.
