Something needed to be done. And after weeks of seeing their defensive
efficiency take an absolute beating, the Toronto Raptors hope they have found a
solution by reportedly trading for Serge Ibaka.
The Raptors are sending a first-round Draft pick and swingman Terrence Ross to
the Orlando Magic in the deal, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski at The
Vertical:
Ibaka is not the same defensive presence he was earlier in his career. He spent
the first seven seasons of his career alongside Kevin Durant and Russell
Westbrook in Oklahoma City before being traded to Orlando over the summer.
But he remains a physical presence capable of being an impact player around the
rim on both ends of the floor. Ibaka’s addition to a Raptors team that battled
Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals last season also gives Jonas
Valanciunas some security in the frontcourt.
Ibaka, who is averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, is just 27. So
the Raptors are getting a player who fits perfectly with their core of All-Stars
DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Valanciunas.
Whether or not he pushes them back into the mix for that No. 2 spot in the
Eastern Conference standings behind Cleveland, however, remains to be seen.
