2016 NBA Draft: Draft Day Misses
By Gary Gorski
Orlando Magic
The biggest head-scratcher of the night goes to the Orlando Magic, who shipped Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and newly drafted Domantas Sabonis for Serge Ibaka.
Serge Ibaka is a good player who has been an important cog of the Oklahoma City Thunder machine but he’s coming off a season with his lowest output in points, rebounds and blocks per game since the 2012-13 season. Ibaka posted a 1.2 VORP and a -0.1 in box plus/minus this season and is coming into the final year of his contract.
On the flip side Oladipo is not only three years younger and still has one more season on his rookie contract to go, but he also posted better numbers in VORP (2.3) and box plus/minus (1.8). So OKC got the younger, cheaper and more productive player in the deal PLUS an excellent prospect who can help immediately in Sabonis, as well as Ilyasova who will also contribute as a stretch-4.
The Thunder were oh so close to taking out the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals this season. If Durant returns, the additions of these players clearly upgrade the team but what was Orlando thinking here? Unless Ibaka suddenly reverts to form from a few seasons ago Orlando not only is the loser here but also may end up harming the development of Aaron Gordon by bringing in Ibaka to play the 4.
Next: Sacramento Kings