Report: Ibaka was unhappy with OKC role, expected to leave as UFA
The Oklahoma City Thunder shipping Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic was by far the biggest draft-night deal, but perhaps the basketball world should've seen it coming.
Ibaka had become unhappy with his role in OKC, and was expected to leave upon hitting unrestricted free agency next summer, a source told CBS Sports' Ken Berger. In addition, Berger reports the Thunder were concerned the veteran big man may have sought a trade long before his 2017 free agency.
In trading Ibaka, Oklahoma City acquired Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis, whom the Magic selected 11th overall Thursday.
Ibaka spent seven seasons with the Thunder after the franchise made him a first-round selection at the 2009 draft. His numbers continued to dwindle in 2015-16, though he still averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks for a 55-win Thunder team that came within one victory of the NBA finals. The 26-year-old defensive stalwart is set to earn roughly $12.2 million in the final year of his contract.