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Serge Ibaka: 5 potential landing spots in free agency

By Nate Wolf

Mar 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts after being called for a personal foul against the Orlando Magic at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 131-112. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) reacts after being called for a personal foul against the Orlando Magic at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 131-112. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) grabs a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) grabs a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have zero reason to go after Serge Ibaka. Paul Millsap will likely leave Atlanta this summer, leaving the Hawks to rebuild around Dennis Schröder, restricted free agent Tim Hardaway Jr., and future draft picks.

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Acquiring Ibaka, however, would be a very Hawks thing to do. Staying mediocre is in Atlanta’s DNA. That’s why the franchise reneged on trading Millsap last season – a decision that will likely haunt Hawks fans in the future.

Assuming Atlanta renounces every cap hold except those of Hardaway and rookie John Collins, they’ll have roughly $28 million annually to offer Ibaka. That’s more than most teams can fork out, meaning Atlanta could win a bidding war. If Ibaka is concerned about salary alone, and Atlanta is characteristically (and stupidly) interested, the price could be right.

From a team-building perspective, the appeal is limited. Ibaka wouldn’t get a Millsap-less Hawks team to more than 35 wins in all likelihood. The on-court appeal is a bit clearer, however. Schröder is a spread pick-and-roll point guard in need of a screener.

Ibaka and Millsap are both below-average roll men, but Ibaka is a better shooter who could be more lethal in the pick-and-pop.

That’s a poor reason to sign a player, and as a result, this option is extremely unlikely. Nevertheless, Atlanta has made these types of decisions before. Dwight Howard, anyone?