The NBA Draft is always unpredictable. There are usually surprising selections and shocking trades.
With the 11th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft the Orlando Magic selected. . . Serge Ibaka?!
Well not exactly.
When the Magic were on the clock, they selected Gonzaga sophomore power forward Domantas Sabonis. He is the son of Hall of Fame basketball player and Lithuanian legend Arvydas Sabonis.
The younger Sabonis was a member of the Magic for about five minutes.
Then, the news leaked out about a potential trade in the works.
It was later confirmed. The Magic had acquired Serge Ibaka from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to that 11th pick, Damantas Sabonis.
And just like that the Magic obtained one of the premiere rim protectors in the league.
Orlando (35-47) finished in last place in the Southeast Division and has not made the playoffs during the previous four seasons. They were looking to make a statement to their fans that they want to make a run at the playoffs next season.
Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan shared his thoughts about the trade.
“Serge (Ibaka) is a young veteran who brings tremendous athleticism and toughness to our frontcourt,” Rob Hennigan said in a press release. “His tireless work ethic and wealth of playoff experience will help enhance our culture and roster.”
“Interior physicality” was a major need for the Magic, as noted on the ESPN broadcast. In making this move, Orlando may have found their man to get the job done.
Ibaka was selected to the NBA All-Defensive first team during the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. He also led the NBA in blocks in 2012 and 2013. That is an impressive resume.
But are the Magic getting the same player Ibaka used to be? They certainly hope so.
In addition to not being selected to either the first or second NBA All-Defensive teams the last two seasons, his shots blocked per game have declined in the last five seasons going from 3.7 in 2012 to just 1.9 this past season in 2016.
The Thunder reportedly agree to trade Serge Ibaka to the Magic. Ibaka's ability as a shot blocker has declined pic.twitter.com/CHwRo4Cl2S
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 24, 2016
The answer to that problem could be that emerging Thunder center Steven Adams is negatively affecting Ibaka’s defensive stats.
Nevertheless, Ibaka is still relatively young at 26 years old. He was a first round pick 24th overall by the then Seattle Supersonics in 2008.
He averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season, his lowest stats in four years. His career stats are 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
The seven-year NBA veteran is in the final year of his contract, that will pay him $12.25 million. That could give some extra motivation for Ibaka to have a bounce-back season and might have a chip on his shoulder to prove the Thunder made a mistake in trading away their big man.
With that being said, there is a major risk in trading for a player with an expiring contract. If the Magic are unable to re-sign Ibaka to a long-term deal, then they have traded away some key assets for only a one-year rental. This could be a high risk, high reward type of move.
Having a frontcourt of Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic, is a good combination of defense (Ibaka) and offense (Vucevuc), respectively.
Besides acquiring a defensive-minded, accomplished veteran in Ibaka, it is easy to understand why the Magic made this trade.
Orlando had a surplus of wing players and not enough frontcourt big men.
The Magic drafted Mario Hezonja with the fifth pick last year, a skilled shooter who is better suited at shooting guard rather than small forward, the Magic have a rising up-and-coming player in Evan Fournier another shooting guard, who is a restricted free agent this summer the Magic will attempt to re-sign. Victor Oladipo, the starting shooting guard became the odd man out as the Magic’s most tradable asset.
Another way to look at this trade, is the Magic which are a relatively young team wanted a veteran leader who is battle tested in the playoffs, to mentor and bring along the inexperienced squad. Trading away a potential rookie in Sabonis, for the proven veteran in Ibaka is a win-now move.
Orlando made some bold moves on draft night. With free agency approaching July 1, there may be more to come. Stay tuned.
Orlando Pride Win in Stoppage Time
The game was almost over, and the Pride were about to surrender their first non-win at home with a 0-0 draw vs the Houston Dash.
Jasmyne Spencer was determined to keep the home winning streak alive.
After entering the game in the 68th minute, Spencer scored her first goal of the season in stoppage time to win the game 1-0 at Camping World Stadium on Thursday night.
The Pride have had great success versus the Dash this season going (3-0) against them. The teams still play each other one more time, Sept. 3 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
Spencer was the hero of the match, and the Pride coach was proud of her.
“It was great to see [Jasmyne] get her first goal,” said coach Tom Sermanni. “She’s worked really hard for it so I was really, really delighted for her.”
Pride Goal Keeper Ashlyn Harris proved to be a formidable brick wall again Thursday, having five saves and earning her fourth shutout of the season. She was named the Player of the Match.
Orlando Pride are now (5-5-0, with 15 points) and remain undefeated at home with a 4-0-0 record having outscored opponents 7-1 in Orlando.
The next match is at home again on Sunday vs the top seeded and undefeated Portland Timbers FC at 5 p.m. After that match, the Pride’s international players will leave to train for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.
