Serge Ibaka Commanding Heavy Interest

The Toronto Raptors will face a busy offseason with much of it dedicated to trying to retain key free agents. The bulk of the focus from outsiders has been placed on Fred VanVleet, and rightfully so. However, Serge Ibaka is another key contributor that will hit the open market, too.

Having a reliable stretch big has been a vital element to the recent success the Raptors have achieved. Marc Gasol could very well opt to play in Europe— making it all the more crucial for Toronto to work to retain Ibaka on a new contract.

According to Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney, the Raptors are still the ‘favorite’ to sign Ibaka in free agency. However, he is more likely to pursue a chance to win an NBA championship if he were to depart— making the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers all potential options.

The Raptors are still the favorite to keep Ibaka. But if he leaves, he would only do so to have a chance at a championship—teams like the Celtics, the Clippers, the Heat, the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers are among those interested in Ibaka. The Lakers, though, would offer him the best chance at another ring.

The combination of attributes Ibaka possesses makes him an intriguing target for any contending team to pursue. He can protect the rim and provide a shot-blocking presence while also being a fluid enough athlete to guard multiple positions. Being a stretch-big helps substantially, too.

With the Raptors’ home location uncertain due to Canada’s travel restrictions, Toronto may have to play in a U.S. market. Would that impact Ibaka’s interest in staying with the organization? Right now, it appears stability with a team closer to contention in one location could happen.