The Orlando Magic is reportedly shopping Serge Ibaka and reports show that the Magic moved Ibaka to the NBA trade block. The Magic is urgently pushing Ibaka out as soon as possible as the team looking forward to make an upgrade.
It is no surprise that the Magic would move Serge Ibaka this season as they struggle on the defensive end with him on the floor. Ibaka used to provide a tremendous in-paint protection, but not this season.
According to the CBS Sports, the Magic has a dreadful defensive rating of 107.9 every time Serge Ibaka is on the floor. His defensive prowess seems to be regressing this season, compared to Nikola Vucevic who is also in the NBA trade block.
The Magic was trying to build a win-now roster last summer as they release some of their young players to acquire mid-level veterans like Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green. The team has now find themselves near the bottom of the team standings the rebuilding process leads to a devastating season.
As for Serge Ibaka, several teams need his service. Ibaka is known to be a defensive power forward as he can defend the low-post and block shots at a high rate. Ibaka could be a good contributor to a contending team like the Toronto Raptors.
In a report made by the Daily Knicks, with an atrocious defense the Knicks is currently struggling as they came across the midway season. Despite of the team's offensive fire power, the Knicks lost their past games due to uncontested shots that leads to a game winning shots of the opposing team.
The report suggests that it may seem to be a reasonable trade deal if the Knicks could send one of their scorer in exchange for a defensive guy like Serge Ibaka. There goes the name of Derrick Rose, report show that Rose could be the man that the Magic needs as Frank Vogel has the ability to utilize such play-style as the Derrick Rose has.
On the other hand, Serge Ibaka would possibly increase the Knicks' defensive rating for his paint-protection skills. Ibaka could intimidate the opposing team and would probably prevent them from scoring inside at a significant output.
There is still more than 20 days for the Magic to decide and look for the best trade partner to send Ibaka out. It may likely for us see Ibaka wearing a new jersey before the NBA trade deadline comes.
