There were a handful of moves made before the NBA Draft kicked off on Thursday night, and a few moves made during the lottery portion of the Draft as well, but it was the blockbuster trade between the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder that really grabbed people’s attention.
The Magic took Domatas Sabonis, son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, with the 11th overall pick. However, not long after that, we found out that Sabonis wasn’t long for Orlando. He, along with Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova were traded to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka.
Ibaka has been a key piece for the Thunder in recent years, as he is a three-time NBA All-Defensive Team player and a tremendous rim protector. He is also in the last year of his deal, which may be why the Thunder were willing to move on from him. Oladipo has defensive skills of his own, and there is still room for him to improve his game, while Sabonis gives them depth, and years of control, for another big man. Ersan Ilyasova can stretch the floor and board as a forward. Of course, the Thunder’s biggest concern is the future of Kevin Durant, who is a free agent, and a much more important piece.
Anytime name players such as Ibaka and Oladipo get traded, it sends shockwaves through the NBA world. Twitter found itself flooded with people expressing their opinions on the trade. For the most part, most fans and analysts agree that Thunder general manager Sam Presti won this trade, and Magic GM Rob Hennigan gave up too much for a player — Ibaka — who saw a dip in his production on both sides of the ball in coach Billy Donovan’s first year coaching.
How much do @okcthunder fans love that deal?! Serge Ibaka for Oladipo, Sabonis and Ilyasova? That's a steal!!
— Kevin Connors 💯 (@kevconnorsespn) June 24, 2016
OKC is like the movie Speed except the speed limit is an age limit and the age limit isn't 50, it is 25 count the RTs
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) June 24, 2016
So the Magic have flipped Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo into Brandon Jennings and Serge Ibaka in last year of deal. Meh.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/DavidBaumannORL/status/746145861013544960
Serge Ibaka finished 7th in scoring efficiency this postseason. Finished inside, shot the lights out on wing 3s. pic.twitter.com/jtkvpgLQkJ
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) June 24, 2016
Frank Vogel with Serge Ibaka is a very good thing for you, Orlando.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 24, 2016
Trading Serge Ibaka is a terrible idea on so many levels.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) June 24, 2016
OKC is really going to struggle for spacing with RW and VO.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) June 24, 2016
The trade of Victor Oladipo also clears the Magic's logjam along the wing.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) June 24, 2016
It's pretty shocking the Thunder would part with Ibaka, but with his contact up in 2017 and some role grumbling, should've seen it coming.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) June 24, 2016
Very excited for Russ/Vic tho
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) June 24, 2016
Hennigan is doing things I just don't understand. https://t.co/shG0QikpDY
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) June 24, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoshuaBRobbins/status/746147316541820928
Presti just crushed Rob Hennigan. What a deal for the Thunder. KD ain't going anywhere kids…
— Brian Geltzeiler (@BGeltzNBA) June 24, 2016
Ilyasova is an upgrade over Singler too
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) June 24, 2016
Bringing in Oladipo and Sabonis may help the Thunder long-term, but trading Ibaka could make KD think twice about re-signing in OKC
— Larry Brown (@LBSports) June 24, 2016
The Thunder have loved Victor Olapido for a long time. Tried desperately to move up to grab him in the 2013 draft.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) June 24, 2016
Oladipo has improved 3pt shooting significantly each year. With Russ and KD, that will surely rise again
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) June 24, 2016
OKC is preparing for the worst
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) June 24, 2016
