Skip to content

Poll: Which team won the Ibaka-Ross trade?

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The first domino has fallen in advance of the 2017 NBA trade deadline with the Toronto Raptors flipping Terrence Ross and a first-round pick to the Orlando Magic for power forward Serge Ibaka.

Ibaka gives the Raptors their first legitimate starting power forward since Chris Bosh's departure in 2010. The Congolese shot blocker can immediately slot in at the four, knocking Patrick Patterson back to the bench, while stretching the floor and providing a defensive presence at the basket.

The most important detail for the Raptors is that he fits the timeline of their two star players. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are both firmly in their prime - adding Ibaka helps this core win immediately. Toronto finished second to Cleveland following a lopsided six-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals last season - the goal is to match or better that accomplishment this year.

The move for Toronto is only a rental, with Ibaka set to become a free agent in July, but the Raptors have the inside track in retaining the 27-year-old. By all means the franchise seems intent on retaining Ibaka - especially since it's pursued him for quite some time.

As for the Magic, it was a matter of asset management. Ibaka wasn't keen on re-upping in Orlando, so the team did well to recoup some value in a late first-rounder in a strong draft and a cost-controlled wing. Ross is an excellent 3-point shooter - something the Magic sorely lacked - and is only starting to enter his prime at the age of 26.

That's a far cry from the package Orlando surrendered to get Ibaka (Victor Oladipo, the No. 11 pick, Ersan Ilyasova) last summer, but it did manage to recoup some value for Ibaka, a player the team probably shouldn't have gotten in the first place.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox