Report: Raptors have sights set on Ibaka in 2017
The Raptors missed out on Serge Ibaka on draft night, when they balked at the package the Thunder reportedly wanted in exchange for the big man.
Although Oklahoma City went on to trade the 26-year-old rim-protector to the Orlando Magic, the lone team north of the border reportedly hasn't given up hopes of obtaining him.
On Sunday, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star wrote: "Rest assured, at this moment - and all know how things can change - I know a free agent Serge Ibaka is very much on (Raptors management's) minds and without knowing the total math or 2017 numbers, I imagine they have a scenario in mind where it could work."
Ibaka's set to become an unrestricted free agent following the upcoming campaign, when the cap is expected to rise again to about $102 million. Because Toronto didn't swing the deal for him, the club doesn't own his Bird rights, so every dollar used to sign him will count against the cap.
As it stands, the Raptors are set to have about $80 million tied up in guaranteed salary - not including Kyle Lowry, who's likely to opt out of the final year of his deal.
Surely, if GM Masai Ujiri and Co. want Ibaka in a Raptors uniform as badly as they seem to, they could work some magic on the trade market.