Raptors president Ujiri explains Ibaka move: 'Our team needed a boost'

The Toronto Raptors finally addressed their long-standing need for a starting power forward.

Raptors president Masai Ujiri announced the acquisition of Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Terrence Ross on Tuesday.

"We're happy to have a player of this caliber," Ujiri said at a press conference confirming the move. "We've kinda looked for this kind of player for a while. He gives our team a good boost where we are right now, and we'll see what it brings us."

"Trades are hard to do. He's a guy that we've always had our eyes on. Obviously other teams do too, and Orlando had him for a while. I think our team needed a boost, to be honest.

"We're at that point where everybody knows that it's not rocket science, that (the power forward spot) was a missing link in our team ... We needed a couple of guys in that position, a prime guy in that position, and he's one of the better power forwards in the league."

Related: Raptors make a necessary move in adding Ibaka

Ibaka, a four-time blocks leader and three-time All-Defensive First Team performer, figures to slot in as the starting power forward with Patrick Patterson as his backup. Ibaka is a proven playoff performer, a capable shot blocker, and can stretch the floor beyond the 3-point line.

The acquisition spells an end to band-aid solutions. The Raptors have auditioned the likes of Pascal Siakam, Lucas Nogueira, Jakob Poeltl, and Jared Sullinger at power forward - each have proven to be flawed in their own way. Ibaka and a healthy Patterson can now account for a quality 48 minutes at the four, while Ibaka may also see time as a center in certain matchups.

Adding Ibaka also lines up nicely with the Raptors' current window for contention, with the likes of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry squarely in their prime.

"With where we are as a team, honestly, our team, our coaches, where Kyle and DeMar are, our organization, fans - it's a good boost for us to have and see if he can bring us some good momentum and see where it takes us," Ujiri said.

Through 56 appearances with the Magic, Ibaka holds averages of 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 39 percent from deep and 73 percent within 3 feet of the hoop.