NBA Rumors: Serge Ibaka Wants To Stay With Toronto Raptors

KEY POINTS

Ibaka prefers to stay in Toronto
Ibaka's future may depend on several factors
Ibaka could be pursued by other teams

Serge Ibaka is one of the blue-collar workers for head coach Nick Nurse with the Toronto Raptors and his value has often been overlooked. Regardless, he remains a vital cog that any NBA team would want. But if given the chance, the 30-year-old prefers to stick it out with his current team.

Ibaka is one of many upcoming free agents after this season. He is in the final year of a $64-million deal that he originally signed back in 2017. With the impact he has made, the Raptors are likely to do their best to keep him. And the 7-footer indicated that he wants to stay in Toronto.

“I’m gonna stay bro. This place is beautiful,” Ibaka said on Instagram Live. “It’s a beautiful city, beautiful people here, and we have one of the best teams, so why leave? Go where?”

Only 30 years old, Ibaka has established himself as one of the reliable big men who does not shy away from the physicality and dirty work. He has been effective for Nurse and has big numbers to prove it this season. A look at Basketball-Reference.com shows how the Congolese cager has played in 50 games averaging 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. These are notable jumps from his career averages, giving the Raptors even more reason to try and keep him.

Given that the Raptors have the budget to retain Ibaka, it will still depend on several things. One is the deals that Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol would be asking for. Also, there is the possibility of seeing Ibaka being dangled offer sheets. If the offer is beyond reason, Toronto may be forced to let him go. But then again, the final decision would be left to Ibaka. That scenario could change if he is not blinded by the numbers on the contract offer.

It would not come as a surprise if some teams try to court Ibaka before next season. For now, that is a wait-and-see approach. Like most, Ibaka remains to wait on what will happen to the current season. If it ends abruptly, all he can hope for is to stay in Toronto and restart another season from scratch but on a new lease.