The urgency to trade Serge Ibaka is only increasing as the trade deadline approaches. The good news is it appears the list of suitors is growing.
The Orlando Magic have their eyes focused on the NBA trade deadline in two weeks. The rumors are picking up and the Magic, as they have promised since December, are being active.
The market for perhaps their biggest asset at the trade deadline is growing. Teams are lining up for Serge Ibaka. And the Magic are indeed looking to move him more aggressively.
Earlier this week, ESPN.com reported the Houston Rockets were sniffing around for Serge Ibaka and Keith Smith of RealGM reported there were several teams that had at least expressed interest in Ibaka at the deadline.
Teams known to have interest in Ibaka are Toronto, Washington, Boston, Indiana, Houston, Portland, and San Antonio.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 30, 2017
Slowly but surely, more teams are emerging in the market.
The latest who have apparently expressed interest? The Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports the Miami Heat at least inquired about Serge Ibaka. He is at least on the Heat’s radar.
"One name we’ve been told is on Miami’s radar: Orlando forward Serge Ibaka, an impending free agent for whom the Magic reportedly is willing to consider offers."
Multiple reports have connected the Magic to Goran Dragic at various points. It is not likely though the Heat are willing to give up their starting point guard now considering the team’s recent 12-game win streak and their surprise run to get into the Playoff conversation.
Likely Miami is trying to get Ibaka to bolster their now-burgeoning Playoff run. It is hard to see what they could offer the Magic. They cannot trade their draft pick this year since they are due to send next year’s first round pick to the Phoenix Suns. It is hard to see them parting with Justise Winslow and Tyle rJohnson may not be enough.
The interest may only be from Miami probing to see what they can wriggle free to improve their roster and make a Playoff run. Miami certainly should have some confidence they can retain Ibaka.
The more realistic destination — one Magic fans have targeted for a while — is the Raptors.
Orlando Magic
Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated reports the Raptors have expressed interest in Ibaka. There were plenty of rumors suggesting the Raptors tried to acquire Ibaka at the draft before the Magic swooped in. It would make sense for that interest to remain.
The Raptors have faded some in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They should still consider themselves contenders to dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers. And their big needs are on the inside at power forward and with rim protection. Ibaka is seemingly the perfect option to take the team to the next level.
The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away. It is no surprise the Magic will be active.
Orlando knew in getting Ibaka he would become an unrestricted free agent. The hope was giving him a bigger role would help the team make the Playoffs and take that next step. And if that failed, they would recoup some value at the trade deadline.
Despite Ibaka’s career offensive season, the Magic have not made the results they wanted. In all likelihood, they will not make the Playoffs. It likely means Ibaka’s time with the Magic and in Orlando is coming to an end.
Next: Rumors: Rob Hennigan getting second chance?
The good news for the Magic is there seems to be a healthy market for him before they run out of time.