Big man Serge Ibaka was not bereft of contending suitors in free agency, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Scotto notes that the Raptors, the team with whom Ibaka spent most of the last four seasons, apparently offered a one-year, $12MM deal to Ibaka for an encore appearance in 2020/21. Toronto was believed to be unwilling to offer multiple years, which would have cut into the team’s projected 2021 cap space.
The Nets also wanted Ibaka, but could only afford a taxpayer mid-level exception, which would have started at $5.7MM this season. Ibaka ultimately inked a two-year, $19MM contract with the Clippers.
Here are more free agency rumors:
- Though swingman Wesley Iwundu ultimately opted to sign a two-year, veteran’s minimum contract with the Mavericks, the Hawks, Pelicans and Kings were also in the running for Iwundu’s services this offseason, Scotto reports in the same piece.
- The Mavericks and Kings also considered adding reserve center Willy Hernangomez before he agreed to terms with the Pelicans on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, per Scotto. Hernangomez’s 2019/20 club, the Hornets, also apparently wanted to re-sign the 26-year-old big man.
- Scotto reports that former Kings wing Kent Bazemore also found himself in high demand this offseason before agreeing to a one-year veteran’s minimum deal with the Warriors. The Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, Celtics, Suns, Knicks, Nets, and Hornets were all interested in adding the three-and-D vet this offseason.
I don’t blame him for leaving. He’s with a contender now. Will get plenty of exposure in LA.
Toronto can contend with the team they have they showed it last season… remember they lost in a very close game seven against Boston… don’t right then off just yet
A couple of years ago Bazemore would have been in high demand.
Now he takes a vet minimum deal with Golden State to back up Kelly Oubre.
Still better than Houston.
Who in their right mind would sign to play in Houston right now?
So true. I’d Austin rivers won’t sign with Houston… That says it all. That roster is just wrong now. Realizing oh tucker is worth very little in trades (and gordon and even westy) they are severely lacking any identity.
Could he have sign I know there’s that whole rule about a player being traded then released not being able to resign with the team that traded him