With all the Serge Ibaka trade rumors floating around, it feels increasingly likely the Orlando Magic will move on from their prized offseason acquisition before he hits the free-agent market this summer.
And you can add the Miami Heat to the list of teams showing interest in him, according to the Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson:
One name we’ve been told is on Miami’s radar: Orlando forward Serge Ibaka, an impending free agent for whom the Magic reportedly is willing to consider offers.
He has averaged 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and shot 38.6 percent on threes and is in his prime at 27.
It’s unclear whether the Heat has assets that the Magic wants, or how aggressively Miami will pursue this. But Ibaka intrigues the Heat.
You typically wouldn’t want to pair another big beside Hassan Whiteside. He has enough trouble creating space for pick-and-rolls as it is.
But Ibaka can space the floor with his three-point touch, and the prospect of him and Whiteside patrolling the paint at the same time is harrowing for opposing offenses. Though he’s best suited at the 5, the Ibaka could probably get by at the 4 long term the way he did in Oklahoma City if Goran Dragic is his point guard.
Cost, of course, is bound to be an issue. Ibaka is going to command max money in free agency, so the Heat shouldn’t be forking over a substantial trade package to get him. They, too, are hovering between rebuilding and competing.
Giving up a first-round pick should be out of the question. They owe their 2018 and 2021 selections to the Phoenix Suns and shouldn’t be compromising their future for someone who isn’t a top-25 player. At the same time, if they’re going to retain draft picks, they can’t really build an intriguing package without including Tyler Johnson.
And at that point, with the Heat slated to have cap space this summer, it’s probably better for them to table any Ibaka pursuit until July.
