Thunder Send Ibaka to Magic for Oladipo, Ilyasova and Sabonis
Victor Oladipo against Serge Ibaka |
The Oklahoma City Thunder have decided to let go of their defensive big man Serge Ibaka. The Thunder send Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and recently drafted Domantas Sabonis, the 11th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
The Magic got a serviceable defensive big man in Serge Ibaka who can also knock down three point shots. Ibaka, a three-time NBA all defensive first team, averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, his lowest output since his third year in the league. With the resurgence of Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, Ibaka has fallen out of favor in the thunder's rotation.
Meanwhile, the Thunder got a combo guard who can provide scoring aside from Kevin Durant (assuming that he is coming back as a Thunder next season) and Rusell Westbrook in Victor Oladipo and a proven stretch four in Ersan Ilyasova. Oladipo, the second overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft averaged 16 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his third season in the NBA while Ilyasova will provide spacing and scoring off the bench for the Thunder.
The Thunder also got a diamond in Domantas Sabonis, the 11th overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft. Sabonis is the son of the legendary player Arvydas Sabonis. The 6'11 power forward has averaged double double of 17.6 points and 11.8 rebounds in his last year in Gonzaga as a sophomore. He has also a good shooting stroke, can knock down threes and perimeter jumpers. He is expected to have a hard time and fight for big man rotation with Ersan Ilyasova, Enes Kanter, Steven Adams and Mitch Mcgary.