Raptors, Ibaka agree to reported 3-year, $65M contract
The Toronto Raptors will re-sign unrestricted free-agent Serge Ibaka, according to the big man's agency. The contract is for three years and $65 million, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Ibaka soon seemingly confirmed with some Toronto parlance.
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka_7) July 2, 2017
The news broke hours after reports surfaced the Raptors were looking at trading point guard Cory Joseph to the Indiana Pacers. There is some belief that move would strictly be a salary dump for Toronto, allowing them to re-sign Ibaka and Kyle Lowry while staying near the tax line.
Lowry remains unsigned as of Sunday afternoon, although like Ibaka, he is expected to return to the Raptors with an apparently limited market for his services.
Related - Ibaka shoots down age-related rumors: 'I was not born in the jungle'
Ibaka's three-year deal is somewhat favorable for the Raptors, given some slippage in the 27-year-old's game. The contract has no options either way, according to USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt.
Toronto is expected to play Ibaka more at center next season, leaving Jonas Valanciunas' future up in the air. In 23 games after being acquired from the Orlando Magic last season, Ibaka averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds on near-40 percent 3-point shooting.