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NBA Free Agency: New Additions Who Will Be 2017 All-Stars

By Maxwell Ogden

Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kevin Durant poses for a photo with his jersey during a press conference after signing with the Golden State Warriors at the Warriors Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) points his thumbs down after a blocking a shot against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) points his thumbs down after a blocking a shot against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Serge Ibaka, Orlando Magic*

Position: Power Forward
Age: 26 (9/18/1989)
Slash Line: .479/.326/.752
Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 12.6 PPG, 1.8 ORPG, 1.9 BPG, 0.8 3PM

After years of quietly demanding a bigger role with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Serge Ibaka will get his wish with the Orlando Magic. Playing for revered head coach Frank Vogel, Ibaka will be the centerpiece of Orlando’s defense.

Orlando landed Ibaka with the knowledge that he wants a bigger role offensively, which implies that’s exactly what he’ll receive.

Ibaka averaged 12.6 points on a slash line of .479/.326/.752 during the 2015-16 regular season—solid, but somewhat underwhelming numbers. He upped his game in the playoffs, however, averaging 12.0 points and 1.7 3-point field goals made  on a slash line of .521/.449/.750.

If Ibaka maintains that efficiency while receiving a higher volume of shots, his offensive production should turn enough heads to net him an All-Star bid.

Defensively, Ibaka ranked No. 7 in the NBA in blocks per game and No. 2 in defensive field goal percentage at the rim. That’s a remarkable truth considering one could see how unhappy Ibaka was in the uncharacteristically sluggish way he played.

This may be an ambitious selection for this list, but Ibaka has earned the faith and optimism being displayed in this situation.

*Ibaka wasn’t acquired in free agency. Instead, Orlando traded rising star Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, and Ersan Ilyasova to acquire him.

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