With the NBA All-Star break and the trade deadline looming, three playoff contenders are reportedly positioning themselves for a strong second-half run by focusing on two players: Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari and Orlando Magic big man Serge Ibaka.
The Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat have “expressed” interest in Ibaka – though it could be more teams in the Eastern Conference – while the Los Angeles Clippers and also the Raptors are sizing up a move for Gallinari, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported Sunday.
Since Orlando acquired him last summer, the 27-year-old Ibaka has netted 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 55 games but the Magic have failed to live up to the considerable hype before the season began. And dealing Ibaka, though a solid frontcourt player, could help clear space for a loaded rotation that also includes Jeff Green, Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo.
The Congolese shot-blocker also represents a huge and coveted expiring contract. He’s making $12.25 million in the final year of his current deal and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to Spotrac.
Toronto, which has gone 4-10 in in its last 14 games, could certainly use Ibaka’s help on the glass. It ranks No. 23 in the league in that category and is tied for 12th in blocks at 4.9 a contest, each areas Ibaka can help.
The Heat, unlike the Raptors, has been one of the hottest teams in the league of late and currently sit only two games back of the East’s final playoff spot. Ibaka could help leading center Hassan Whiteside on the glass and as a weak-side defender and would be an upgrade over Luke Babbitt and recently signed Derrick Williams.
As for Gallinari, the Nuggets, too, are surging due to their highly potent offense and can sacrifice their leading scorer now that power forward Nikola Jokic has emerged as the offense’s focal point. The Italian Gallinari has averaged 17.2 points and 4.9 rebounds while knocking down 38.1 percent of his three-point attempts this season.
The Clippers are already one of the best three-point shooting teams in the league – No. 6 at 38 percent and No. 11 with 27.4 attempts per game – but could use another scorer to relieve forward Blake Griffin until point guard Chris Paul returns from injury.
Similar to Ibaka, Gallinari’s current deal could also be viewed as “expiring.” He holds a $16.1 million option for next season, but due to the increase in the salary cap, it’s possible the eight-year veteran and former Knick tests the open market as an unrestricted free agent this summer.
That could be a relief to the Clippers, who have the second-highest payroll in the league behind only Cleveland.
The trade deadline is the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 23.
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