That's the sense I get too. Ujiri is tough to trade with because he isn't willing to gamble with his assets. They have big money tied up with DDR and Lowry will be a UFA at the end of the year. That makes me think like whatever move they make (if they make one) would be small. I dont think the Raptors are willing to unload the assets that would be needed for Ibaka, Dalo, (much less Millsap).
I would love Ibaka on the Rockets, but the only way the Rockets have a chance to trade for him is if Toronto doesn't try. Raptors have guys like Powell and Ross that the Magic would want, but there are rumors that Toronto may not want to trade either of them. Toronto has 2 first round picks this upcoming draft and I would assume they trade 1. Heat make no sense in my opinion. Would feel bad for Ibaka because I'm sure he wants to win now and I don't think the chances are high of him re-signing there. I expect Magic to listen to all offers and then trade him last min on deadline day. Morey is a genius though and I'm sure he's trying and having ongoing discussions. We'll have to wait and see.
Heat won 13 straight and starting Luke Babbitt at PF. Plus, Erik Sopelstra and Pat Riley will only win and not tank. How is that not a fit?
And they play in the east. I think ultimately Ibaka is going to go to whoever offers him the most money. If he gets traded to the heat and they offer serge a max he'll stay. But knowing pat Riley I doubt he wants to tie up max cap space to serge Ibaka. I think Ibaka has gotten overrated by not just us but ppl in general. He's a good player, not a great one. In fact he's not even close to being a great player. He benefited a lot playing in okc next to KD Russ and even harden that it made him seem Like a game changer and winner. Stick him on Orlando all these years avg 15/7 and 2 blks and nobody is screaming and knocking the door down to try and offer Ibaka a max contract. I don't think any contender would pay Ibaka max but he'll get it somewhere because of his name and past success with the thunder.
His defense may not be as stifling as it was 3 years ago, but it's still very good, especially when you consider the fact that he can match up 1-4.
The asking price should not be too high. They really just want a pick and a youngin. The magic have no leverage in negotiations. Either take what we give you or let his contract expire.
heard on twitter that Toronto will not offer terrence ross so we might have a good chance if we want ibaka
Makes sense if true, Ross is probably some sort of insurance if Lowry leaves (@Deuce actually made a good point here), in that case their back court would obviously take a hit but they can try to survive let's say...if they trade Ross AND Lowry leaves they would be suddenly in a bad situation... Maybe Patterson + Sullinger to match the contract and pick/s (or Poeltl/Powell) is their best offer, or something similar...
Hopefully Raptors keep loosing so we can see #Klow7twoHtown this summer via FA. Lowry Gordon Harden Ibaka Capela ARE YOU READY??? (Yes Iz possible if we trade for Ibaka due to him having only a 17.8 mill cap hold on birdrights). EDIT: Had Ibaka's bird right cap hold wrong, would have to dump Ariza (or Gordon). Would actually be really hard to do since they lowered next seasons cap to 102 million, would have to dump every player/pick besides the ones listed above.
they will not give norman Powell either but the raptors gm has always been very reluctant to make trades and he has to worry about locking up kyle lowry to
Yeah, i think our only hope is that nobody will send a better package than our 1st + 2nd + KJ + Brewer (not sure Morey is giving up Trez in this trade unless we take back Hezonja but we'll eventually see...or at least that's what i hope lol)
Yet, there are no tweets of Morey even engaging this trade at this point. I wonder if we're still relevant??? Besides the Raptors and us, who else could be trading for Ibaka? The Heat are not in play, either.
Yep, that's true but still...they are one piece away from being a true contender (or something very close to it) and Ibaka fits them pretty well. Also, they've only one way to bring in a player of that level at this point, and that's via trade at this point so...
If involved, Morey might be keeping a lid on any leaks to the media. I ended that sentence with a period but maybe I could have placed a question mark. A difference in emoji might also change the tone. Let's try it again: If involved, Morey might be keeping a lid on any leaks to the media?
Personally i'd still consider the Kings just because they're the Kings, they were after Millsap, and if it's true that Bud is not trading him, i can see the Kings going hard after Ibaka since he should be a great fit with Boogie, they want big names and they're probably willin to overpay so...other teams i don't really know but if the price is not high (like it seems from what Stein said yesterday) we should probably consider more teams in play here...
