By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Awaiting the NBA decisions regarding the free agency prior to the next season, teams monitoring potential targets include the Los Angeles Lakers looking into veteran forward Serge Ibaka, reports Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reports, citing league executives.
Ibaka, 31, is coming off three full seasons with the Toronto Raptors after a short stint with the Orlando Magic to start the 2016-17 campaign and his seven first NBA years with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per regular-season match last season, and went on 14.8 points per playoffs tilt.
The report notes the Raptors as favorites to re-sign Ibaka, and also adds the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Portland Trail Blazers alongside the Lakers among potential suitors.
“From a personnel standpoint, he is exactly the kind of combo big guy that team (the Lakers) needs,” one general manager told Heavy.com. “They have had interest in him before and they will again. When he is healthy he is an excellent spot starter at the 5 (center) and the 4 (power forward). He is as good a bench big guy as there is in the league. He was a really credible 3-point threat last year. If he is willing to accept what the Lakers can afford to give him, I know they would want him.”
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