As the Feb. 23 deadline approaches, the biggest trade of season has taken place between the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic.
According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski Tuesday, the Raptors will send guard Terrence Ross and their 2017 first-round pick to the Magic for forward Serge Ibaka.
Toronto owns two first-round picks in the draft – including the Clippers’ pick – and will send Orlando the lesser in value of the two choices, league sources said.
Toronto general manager Masai Ujiri has long been intrigued with Ibaka, and made the deal with the expectation that the Raptors will be aggressive in working to re-sign Ibaka this summer, league sources said.
Ibaka, 27, will be a free agent after this summer.
The Magic acquired Ibaka in a draft-day deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights Domantas Sabonis, the 11th pick in the 2016 draft.
The 27-year-old shot blocker, who was a three-time All-NBA defensive first-team selection in Oklahoma City, was brought in to help shore up Orlando’s defense, but has reportedly been on the trade block for weeks.
Ross, a Portland native and Jefferson High product, was drafted by Toronto with the eighth pick of the 2012 NBA draft. He hold career averages of 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 23.3 minutes per game.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 23 at noon PT.
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