The Reign of Serge

Victor Oladipo, the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis, and Ersan Ilyasova for…Serge Ibaka.

Forget about whether or not the scales balance out on this not-quite blockbuster of a deal.

Forget about whether or not the Magic extend Ibaka…for the time being.

And let’s remember that OKC rostered not one but two of the most unique players in the NBA last year. Of course, there was “the Slim Reaper.” But Durant’s overall flexibility combined with Westbrook’s tendency to dominate the ball masked just how nasty their former teammate (Serge Ibaka) is – especially in today’s NBA.

At 6-10 with a 7-3 wingspan, Ibaka has the measurements, talent, and athleticism to rotate freely between the four and the five. A career shooter of 36 percent from three-point land who has averaged over three blocks a game (per 36) in the last five years, he possesses the rare ability to both stretch the floor and protect the rim.

Few people realize that just last year Ibaka averaged 14 points, eight boards, and 2.5 blocks while shooting 38 percent from three. At just 25 years old, the big man got his even though he was limited to just 33 minutes per game and playing third fiddle to two of the five best players in the NBA. Two other players should be able to sympathize with him there. Their names…Chris Bosh and James Harden.

And the argument could be made that the Magic’s current roster holds a lot more talent and upside than the post-Lebron Heat and Harden’s Rockets.

In one fell swoop, Orlando went from Air Gordon and a cast of characters to a small ball menace that could challenge for a spot in the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference.

Rolling out a starting five of Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, Air Gordon, and Serge Ibaka, the Magic should be striking fear into their opponents by the All-Star break. With Gordon’s shot coming along and Ibaka taking Vucevic’s spot at center, this group screams two-way talent, athleticism and knockdown shooting. In fact, they could very well be the only Eastern Conference squad limited to only one non-shooter on their starting five. According to all the small ball groupies out there, this alone puts them in exclusive conversation.

Even for those that don’t have the same confidence in Air Gordon’s shot or Hezonja’s development, the master stroke of Ibaka’s fit is the ability to bring Vucevic in while keeping the rim protection you need on the floor, with Ibaka next to him at the four. Then the only decision to make is whether to take lockdown defense with Gordon, or the pure shooting of Hezonja at the three. That this team is in the very sure and experienced hands of Frank Vogel is also encouraging. This move shored up Orlando’s interior defense, introduced a whole new level of flexibility to their lineups, and enhanced their ability to stretch the floor… all by adding one player.

Provided the Magic extend Ibaka, this deal is set to go down as a huge win for Orlando, and I expect to see them in the top-five of the Eastern Conference for years to come.