The Brooklyn Nets are looking for added manpower and one player on their list is Serge Ibaka. The 31-year-old is one of many interesting free agents this offseason and it appears Nets star Kevin Durant is trying to find ways to reunite with his former OKC Thunder teammate.
Ibaka just wrapped up his stint with the Toronto Raptors but is expected to test the market since he lost his starting role for the one-time NBA champions. According to Forbes, Durant is trying to convince him to head to Brooklyn although it remains to be seen if the 7-footer can land a starting role under the watch of head coach Steve Nash, Forbes reported.
If Ibaka agrees, he will have to earn that spot. Other names in contention include DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen. Ibaka has good chances of gaining the nod, not to mention the fact that he has already proven his stock as part of the Raptors champion team.
Kevin Durant is reportedly recruiting Serge Ibaka to join the Nets, via @ForbesSports. pic.twitter.com/umFptIOiCC — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 12, 2020
However, adding Ibaka goes beyond the chance to earn a slot on the club. There is also the issue of money that he could make. With Brooklyn heavily investing in Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets do not have much flexibility in salary space. Unless they tweak the roster, there is a possibility that Ibaka would have to agree to a discounted deal to reunite with his buddy Durant.
It would make sense to add Ibaka next season for the Nets. He played 55 games during the 2019-20 regular season, averaging 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27 minutes of action per Basketball-Reference. Other than that, he is the guy known to do the dirty work down low, someone who can control the boards and play defense.
Ibaka is coming off a $65 million deal and is likely to expect something along with those figures. A good thing to note here is that the Congolese-Spanish player has options. If the Nets are unable to pitch a good deal, the Lakers have also expressed interest in his services.
Los Angeles is also strapped for cash, possibly even worse than the Nets at this point. The Raptors could also re-sign him. Thus it all depends on what Ibaka wants moving forward. Will it be about the money or about winning another NBA title?
