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In recent days it became clear the Orlando Magic were motivated to trade Serge Ibaka, and on Monday, they reportedly agreed to deal him to the Toronto Raptors for Terrence Ross and a first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Now word is trickling out regarding the Ibaka trades that might have been.
According to Jared Weiss and Keith Smith of CelticsBlog, Orlando discussed sending Ibaka to the Boston Celtics, but talks broke down because of Boston’s unwillingness to surrender assets like Terry Rozier and future Draft picks. A second-year guard out of Louisville, Rozier is averaging 5.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
Orlando ultimately landed Ross, a more proven but older player with less upside, instead. Perhaps Boston—which, like Toronto, is chasing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference playoff race—may have been more motivated to acquire Ibaka if the veteran big man weren’t set to become a free agent in July.
Is Ross and a first-rounder a worthy haul for Ibaka? Should the Magic have sweetened their offer to Boston if it meant landing Rozier?