Ibaka traded to Toronto

[Denis998]

http://i.imgur.com/CE5eTjt.gifv

[tarheelsxxiii]

Yeah, this is bad.  But Okafor's obviously coming to Boston on the cheap...

[Rondo9]

I think the Celtics will be fine.

[Denis998]

they shouln't really be in the problem in the playoffs unless they beat the cavs and we meed them in the ECF

[Androslav]

they shouldn't really be in the problem in the playoffs unless they beat the Cavs and we meed them in the ECF

If they beat the Cavs that's a gift, not a problem.

[TheSundanceKid]

I'm not worried about this. It doesn't change what we should do. We're in the position where the only trades that make sense are for a top tier player or a complete value move.

It has never made sense to pursue guys like Nurkic or Ibaka, so it doesn't change anything when they are traded elsewhere.

[Celtics4ever]

I'm not worried about this.

I think with DeRozan returning and them adding Ibaka, they have an edge on us.

[chambers]

I would have liked to have had him here for 6 months to see if he had anything left before offering him a deal.
I guess we can see how he does on Toronto to get an idea.

The Raptors may regret paying over 100 million to Lowry, DeRozan and Ibaka though if that's their plan.

Would we regret paying 100 million+ to IT, Horford and Ibaka? Now if we decided to go deep into luxury tax and also acquire Butler and retain the bench, it would be an easier pill to swallow.

But would we regret paying IT, Horford, Ibaka a combined 100 million+ and whiff on free agency/big trades?
We almost certainly would.

[chambers]

I think it was fine for Toronto to make this deal. They get to see if he fits for 6 months before offering him huge money long term.
It would suck to sign him in the offseason and pay him for 4 years and watch him crumble 9 months in.

Although he's been shocking for the last 18 months, Hennigan did a good job leveraging that extra pick and Ross IMO, understanding that Uriji (spelling?) is making an expensive but Smart decision. They still have the better of theirs/Clippers picks this year and they offload a solid but very replaceable Terrence Ross for what could be an enormous upgrade for them and keep this Drake era going. lol. The added incentive of doing this now is also potentially saving their crappy season from completely combusting into a flaming dumpster fire.
I mean realistically, who was Toronto going to beat out in the free agency stakes or trade stakes when a star becomes available? They are Toronto.

We are in such a good long term position, and it's easy to get snobby and look down on them, and Uriji certainly isn't the wizard that some people seem to weirdly think he is- but the Raps didn't have much choice here and it was probably the right move.

[Big333223]

Jared Weiss ‏@JaredWeissNBA

Celtics were not willing to include Rozier in a potential Ibaka trade per multiple sources.

Yeah, I would not have done that either...could be used for a bigger fish.

I wouldn't let Rozier be a sticking point. I suspect Danny just wasn't interested in a rental and/or paying Ibaka $25 million+ per season.

Agreed I'm thinking they didn't want to resign him so why give up anything of value just for a single season push when it doesn't put you over Cavs

This. Ibaka is going to be looking for a max next summer and someone is going to give it to him, which means around $30 mil per year. I wouldn't want the C's paying him that and if they're not going to, why give up assets for 3 months of a player that might not put them over the top anyway?

who is going to give Ibaka 30 million?

Looks like the Raptors will.

I think he is in that Dwight Howard range 70 mil$ for 3 years, but it only takes one to dance in this case.

Is Dallas desperate enough to max him out? How about the Nets? How impatient is Denver?

There are currently 6 teams under the salary floor for this season. Even if Ibaka has regressed, he's still a shot blocking, 3-point shooting PF and reputation goes a long way.