NBA Trade Rumors: The Orlando Magic have traded Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Terrence Ross and a first-round pick
With the NBA Trade Deadline just a couple weeks away, it was only a matter of time until something big started brewing.
After a couple of smaller deals taking place over the last week – ironically, both including Mason an Miles Plumlee – a deal of bigger proportions is finally happening.
According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Orlando Magic have agreed to trade Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
- NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting point guards for 2023-24
"[The Vertical]Orlando has agreed to trade Serge Ibaka to Toronto for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick, league sources tell @TheVertical.Toronto will send lower of its two first-round picks to Orlando in 2017, league sources tell @TheVertical. Toronto has the Clippers’ pick.Sources: Toronto is trading for Ibaka with intention of trying to re-sign him in free agency this summer. Masai Ujiri has long coveted him."
Perhaps most interestingly, this move comes on the heels of the news that the Cleveland Cavaliers will lose starting power forward Kevin Love for at least six weeks due to a nagging knee injury.
Safe to say it’s been a tough last hour for the Cavs.
Earlier in the week, it was reported by multiple outlets – including ESPN – that both the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors were interested in Ibaka. Now, it appears that report was spot on.
Ibaka was averaging a career-high 15 points and seven rebounds per game this season with the Orlando Magic. He was shooting 49 percent from the field and a solid 39 percent from three-point range.
Must Read: 15 Eastern Conference Trades That Need To Happen Before The Deadline
The Raptors, who have dropped to 5th in the East standings, needed to make a move. That was clear. Question now is, will it be enough to knock off the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers?