Report: Raptors interested in Serge Ibaka

The Toronto Raptors continue to show interest in Serge Ibaka.

Having been beaten to the punch for Ibaka by the Orlando Magic last offseason, the Raptors remain interested in the 27-year-old shot blocker ahead of the trade deadline, sources told Marc Spears of The Undefeated.

Orlando sent Victor Oladipo, the No. 11 pick used on Domantas Sabonis, and Ersan Ilyasova to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Ibaka, who is averaging 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 30.6 minutes.

The Raptors sorely lack a competent power forward beyond the injured Patrick Patterson, who is best suited as a bench piece. They have relied upon a raw rookie in Pascal Siakam, an out-of-condition Jared Sullinger, and an assortment of centers playing out of position in Lucas Nogueira and Jakob Poeltl.

Their weakness in the frontcourt is borne out of Toronto's shoddy defensive metrics. They rank in the bottom-10 in defensive rating and defensive rebounding rate.

Ibaka is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. His addition has failed to make much of a difference for a Magic squad headed once again for the lottery.