The Toronto Raptors are reportedly set to target the Orlando Magic's Serge Ibaka next summer when the newly-acquired power forward becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Larry Brown Sports quipped that the Raptors "must want revenge" on the Magic for "stealing Bismack Biyombo away" with a multi-million dollar deal this summer and would want a direct hit on the squad in next year's free-agency.
However, there had been rumors that the former Oklahoma City star had always been "very much on their (Raptors) minds" as Toronto wants a stretch four that can also effectively protect the rim, which are basically the content of Ibaka's calling card.
The 26-year-old Congolese-Spanish big man is entering the final year of the four-year, $49.4 million deal he signed with the Thunder in 2013 that was inherited by Orlando when they traded for him in June.
Upon its expiration in July 2017, Ibaka will become an unrestricted free agent and the Raptors are expected to be first in line to propose him an offer sheet as "he would make for an excellent fit on a Raptors team with a hole at the power forward position," the report said.
Toronto is set to experiment on the said spot with the recent acquisition of Jared Sullinger from Boston, but Patrick Patterson is still the starter at the moment. Ibaka would definitely be an upgrade from those two players.
Also at present, the Magic's frontcourt looks crowded with Biyombo, Jeff Green, and young guns Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon all competing for playing time. Only time will tell when any of their bigs will be placed on the trading block.
Orlando may end up trading Ibaka for a suitable return on investment, rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer when he becomes available in the market.
Meanwhile, NBC Sports noted that Ibaka's situation right now is "reminiscent of Nicolas Batum" last year when he was traded by Portland to the Hornets "on an expiring contract".
The Raptors are speculated to want Batum then, but the Frenchman ultimately decided to stay in Charlotte.
However, if things work out for Toronto this year and Orlando's frontcourt experiment fails, then they will definitely have a clear shot at snagging Ibaka next summer.