Watching OKC throughout the playoffs and the regular season I have seen the shrinkage in minutes for serge ibaka.
With ibaka having less playing time and okc with long term solutions of adams and kanter, I think they trade him.
They agree with me :
http://www.sportsrageous.com/nba/nba-rumors-boston-celtics-trade-serge-ibaka-offseason/22178/http://www.inquisitr.com/3103154/nba-rumors-boston-celtics-to-acquire-serge-ibaka-from-the-thunder/http://www.morningnewsusa.com/nba-trade-rumors-okcs-serge-ibaka-block-2357847.htmlhttp://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14792633/nba-do-oklahoma-city-thunder-absolutely-make-trade-not-reallyIbaka would replace amir johnson who is a short term solution. Ibaka is a better scorer, rebounder and arguably a better defender. He is also younger and a teammate of durant.
He gives us more talent offensively. The celtics struggled offensively with poor shooting percentages and ibaka gives us a solid scoring big man who will just add to the defensive juggernaut known as the celtics.
Not to mention in free agency he will help attract others specifically Durant who may look twice if a former teammate is calling his name.
3 key points for durant coming
-be apart of a historic franchise and have your name be compared to the likes of bird and Russell with eternal glory
- Be the face of a franchise with a lot of young talented kids in the east where your only competition is lebron
- Be with your teammate and friend ibaka along with being in terrific locker atmosphere of junkyard dogs willing to let sacrifice their bodies to win
What is it going to cost for ibaka
My thinking is this
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zfet93d along with this year 2016 Boston Pick, Dallas pick and two second rounders philly and minnesota
This is a direct salary swap with amir johnson who okc can waive and get the money for FA plus use all the picks to build a bench that they desperately need. If they keep durant they are going to need the flexibility to build a bench to support starters. If Durant leaves it still gives them a lot to build around Westbrook.
If we do not get Durant we would still have the assets to trade for someone like jimmy butler or paul George if they are available. We would still have the Brooklyn pick this year. We still keep the core of our team while adding a young bulldog who is a rim protector