Report:Magic trying hard to trade Ibaka

[jpotter33]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690140-serge-ibaka-trade-rumors-latest-news-speculation-surrounding-magic-pf

Got to have interest, right? He's a better OVERALL fit than Melo, though Melo is certainly a better offensive fit.

So many options with potential trades to consider right now! This trade deadline could be nuts with so many potential guys on the market.

[86MaxwellSmart]

I remember Ibaka being tough as nails. Doing all the dirty work under the rim---he seems to have lost that passion, settling for jumpers now...Am I wrong--?

[tankcity!]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690140-serge-ibaka-trade-rumors-latest-news-speculation-surrounding-magic-pf

Got to have interest, right? He's a better OVERALL fit than Melo, though Melo is certainly a better offensive fit.

So many options with potential trades to consider right now! This trade deadline could be nuts with so many potential guys on the market.

I really want Melo at a bargain tbh. I think Stevens would revive his career and his shooting %'s would increase. Not high on Ibaka. Although he is a perfect fit alongside Horford and both can stretch the floor.

[Donoghus]

Well, that didn't take long.  What a mess in ORL.

[max215]

The Serge of old is a great fit, but that player is gone. His next contract is going to be awful, so if we land him, I sincerely hope it's as a rental for cheap; that seems unlikely.

[CoachBo]

I remember Ibaka being tough as nails. Doing all the dirty work under the rim---he seems to have lost that passion, settling for jumpers now...Am I wrong--?

No.

The question is, would he continue to play that way on a winner?

Is he in decline, or is the problem his situation?

[saltlover]

I remember Ibaka being tough as nails. Doing all the dirty work under the rim---he seems to have lost that passion, settling for jumpers now...Am I wrong--?

Yes and no.  He's been taking more jumpers for the last three seasons.  This year he's taking more 3's than before, but he's also hitting a career high 38.3%, so I'm not sure it's a flaw.  If you believe he's the age he says he is, he started moving outside relatively young.  But if you think he's a couple years older, it looks a lot more like what Horford did.

His blocks are way down this year, but his defensive rebounding is around his career average, and although he takes fewer shots at the rim, he makes a higher percentage.  I'd have no problem trading Zeller, filler, the Memphis pick and our 2nd from Minny this year.  Don't think I'd resign him this summer, however.

[jpotter33]

The Serge of old is a great fit, but that player is gone. His next contract is going to be awful, so if we land him, I sincerely hope it's as a rental for cheap; that seems unlikely.

I wonder how much of that is going from a team  with Westbrook AND Durant to a team where he's the main "star" with no real good fit on the roster, though. Playing between Gordon/Green and Biyombo/Vucevic isn't really ideal for him at all.

I think he'd be significantly better in Boston between Al and Crowder than in Orlando, though I agree I'm not keen on a huge contract for him this summer, similar to how I am with Milsap.

That being said, he is the ideal type of fit that we're looking for at the 4 next to Al, and I'd be willing to see how he looks here, as long as it didn't cost significant assets, which it shouldn't.

[vgulab]

He is good player, maybe even good fit with the C's but he won't fix all our weaknesses. He isn't really good rebounder and he doesn't block shots like before. He isn't the player he was and he will sign a contract really big. He can spread the floor with his shooting and that is ok but still he isn't worth paying price now and later giving him a big pay. I thnik the same way DA said no to Melo he will say no to Serge and wait until free agency to sign Serge or someone else for free

[Eddie20]

His decline makes me think the rumors of him being much older is true. He doesn't even look as athletic to me and he's supposedly only 27.

[Surferdad]

I remember Ibaka being tough as nails. Doing all the dirty work under the rim---he seems to have lost that passion, settling for jumpers now...Am I wrong--?

Yes and no.  He's been taking more jumpers for the last three seasons.  This year he's taking more 3's than before, but he's also hitting a career high 38.3%, so I'm not sure it's a flaw.  If you believe he's the age he says he is, he started moving outside relatively young.  But if you think he's a couple years older, it looks a lot more like what Horford did.

His blocks are way down this year, but his defensive rebounding is around his career average, and although he takes fewer shots at the rim, he makes a higher percentage.  I'd have no problem trading Zeller, filler, the Memphis pick and our 2nd from Minny this year.  Don't think I'd resign him this summer, however.

That's a lot to give up (esp the 1st rounder) knowing you don't intend to resign him. Much as I hate the front court situation now, I would live with it for another half a season and keep all options open.

[GratefulCs]

Take my wife, please

[Donoghus]

Anyone want to clue me in on what direction/philosophy that franchise is heading in? 

Because, I can't figure out for the life of me, what exactly they're doing.  It seems like every year they waffle back & forth on strategy.

[footey]

He was awful against us last game. But sounds like he can hit 3s at a good clip. I'd take him for cheap.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I saw another article from Sporting News.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/nba-trade-rumors-serge-ibaka-orlando-magic-free-agency-frank-vogel/16rdj7sz8sk3r1jsfa86wms5i7

I really believe we need to be in on this. Ibaka upgrades Amir Johnson in that lineup, opens up the floor more with his shooting, and provides us some rim protection.