RAPTORS SPLURGE FOR SERGE, SEND ROSS TO MAGIC
The Toronto Raptors acquired power forward-center Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic for swingman Terrence Ross and a protected 1st-round draft pick in 2017.
What does it give the Toronto Raptors
This is the perfect pickup for the Raptors. A strong playoff contender before this deal, Toronto has nonetheless long needed a star-level power forward. Ibaka is in his prime and is exactly that type of player--when on his game he's one of the NBA's most complete big men. His ability to protect the rim will take a lot of pressure off emerging center Jonas Valanciunas, and Ibaka is also an above-average offensive frontcourt player who can hit the three-pointer regularly. This is a coup for the Raptors, especially if they can re-sign impending free agent Ibaka this summer. The draft pick they give up will be the lesser of two 2017 first-rounders Toronto owned.
What does it give the Orlando Magic
Ross is a starter-caliber scorer and an exciting young player, so he's a good fit for a Magic squad that's building mostly with youth. Orlando faced losing Ibaka to free agency this summer, so getting Ross--who has two more seasons after this on his contract, and might step in as a starter--plus the first-round pick is a nice haul. The Magic seemed intent on building a potential playoff contender for this season, but it didn't pan out; Ross and the first-rounder will help with the ongoing rebuild.
Fantasy impact
Ross probably gets the biggest fantasy boost from this trade. He has a chance to graduate from seventh man status with the Raptors to a starting spot with the Magic (with Aaron Gordon conceivably shifting to power forward if that happens). If so, Ross should become an excellent source of scoring--especially three-pointers--with good shooting averages. Ibaka's fantasy value probably doesn't change much; he may step things up heading into free agency (and now that he has a chance at the playoffs) but he also now has more scoring talent around him than he did with Orlando (so may see fewer shots). For the other Raptors it's probably safe to drop any of the several options the team has rotated this season at power forward (including Jared Sullinger, Patrick Patterson, and Lucas Nogueira). For the other Magic players, Aaron Gordon may see a nice jump in shot attempts while combo forward Jeff Green adds some sleeper appeal with the departure of Ibaka. Center Bismack Biyombo as well should be monitored for an increase in playing time.
