Toronto Raptors: Evaluating trade value before the deadline
By Kyle Craib
Serge Ibaka
Contract: $23.3M (2019/20)
Trade Value: B+
“Ma Fuzzy Chef” has been cooking up some quality minutes for the bench unit in Toronto. With Gasol holding down the starting spot, Serge Ibaka has grown into his role in the second unit bringing a reliable boost of energy to the lineup.
Ibaka’s ability to take over a game in the paint is unmatched by anyone in Toronto, filling up the rebounding stats with aggressiveness to go after tough offensive boards. Averaging 8.1 rebounds per game, the big man is still extremely reliable to match up against many centers in the league. Pairing that with the highest 3-point percentage he’s shot since the 2016-17 season makes Ibaka a very appealing target for teams willing to pay the price.
Ibaka has been no stranger to the injury bug this season, tweaking his ankle in early November of 2019. But the Raptors big man did not miss a step in his return, continuing his solid production off the bench and playing valuable minutes late in the fourth quarter.
Ibaka could be a starting center for many teams in the NBA, expect some attention being paid to Serge at the deadline.