The 2016 NBA Draft had plenty of drama, entertainment, questionable player comparisons by Jalen Rose, international players and trades. The one thing that stood out above all else though and may have made one unexpected team the winner of the night was the trade between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic.
The Magic traded Victor Oladipo, No. 11 pick Domantas Sabonis, and Ersan Illyasova to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka. Wow.
Serge Ibaka and Victor Oladipo in their new uniforms…crazy. pic.twitter.com/iMSIgozjjW
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 24, 2016
This is a blockbuster trade that came out of left field and engenders some initial reactions:
1. The Thunder wouldn’t have made a deal like this without Kevin Durant’s blessing
2. Has Serge Ibaka already peaked?
3. Is he really only 26? (Had to)
4. Did the Magic overpay for Ibaka?
5. Oladipo provides all of the best parts of Dion Waiters and Andre Roberson (albeit smaller than Roberson) with the ability to be a two-way star
6. Domantas Sabonis will be a great role player for a contender
7. Are the Thunder favorites now?
8. What are the Magic doing?
This trade is an absolute home run for Oklahoma City as they get a potential 3rd star, who can knock down open shots, guard elite point guards so Westbrook doesn’t have to (i.e. Steph Curry and Chris Paul) and create his own shot. They also trade a player who was growing frustrated with his role and wasn’t their best interior defender anymore and brought back a great role player who can back up Adams and Kanter and help provide more offensive firepower to their bench. No to mention another stretch four in Ellyasova (if they keep him, contract is not guaranteed).
The Magic meanwhile have now dealt their two most talented young wing players in the last four months in Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris for a point guard coming off an Achilles injury (Brandon Jennings) that is only taking minutes away from their potential perennial all-defensive stud in Elfrid Payton, and a two-way four who seems to be declining slightly and adds to an already stacked front court featuring Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic. Do they bring Gordon off the bench again? Is Mario Hejonza ready to be a starter? It is essential they re-sign Evan Fournier now.
I’m not sure if this trade makes the Magic better now or in the future but this deal most definitely makes the Thunder even more dangerous.
