The Orlando Magic zigged this offseason when other teams zagged. The team went big while the rest of the NBA downsized and embraced small ball. The Magic acquired power forward Serge Ibaka in a blockbuster draft-night trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and signed center Bismack Biyombo in free agency. The goal was to play two bigs simultaneously in a three-person big-man rotation that also included incumbent center Nikola Vucevic.
The strategy failed miserably.
The Magic moved on from that experiment Tuesday when they agreed to trade Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors for swingman Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick.
Magic officials came to the conclusion that they had to trade Ibaka before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline or risk losing him for nothing when Ibaka became an unrestricted free agent in July. Ibaka gave the Magic no promises that he intended to re-sign with them.
But Magic officials also knew that Ibaka had not provided the defensive boost they hoped he would provide. So re-signing him in July to a large contract would have been risky. Considering that the Magic own a 21-36 record, why would the team want to pay him a windfall in free agency this summer?
Ross, 26, is a capable outside shooter who has made 37.5 percent of his 3-point tries this season.
On Jan. 25, 2014, he scored 51 points in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
He has two more full seasons remaining on his contract, which pays him $10.5 million per year.
The Raptors own two first-round picks in 2017: their own pick and a protected pick from the Los Angeles Clippers. The Magic likely will receive the less desirable of the two picks.
Magic officials have not commented about the deal because it has not been finalized. But Magic players were free to comment about Ross when they were asked to assess Ross' ability.
"Obviously, the guy is an athlete _ a friggin' athlete," Magic swingman Evan Fournier said. "And he's a terrific shooter. I think his career high is 51, so obviously, when the guy gets hot, he gets really hot. A guy being on a winning team for a few years now has experience, big-game experience. Exciting, man."
In June, the Magic traded Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to first-round pick Domantas Sabonis to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Ibaka.
Magic officials thought Ibaka would drastically improve their rim protection and help their offense stretch the floor.
Ibaka has been solid stretching the floor on the offensive end, averaging 15.1 points per game and making 38.8 percent of his 3-point attempts.
But he was a disappointment defensively. Opponents took him away from the basket, which helped to negate his shot-blocking. He also did not appear as explosive or as mobile as he looked earlier in his career.
The Magic rank 22nd in the NBA in points allowed per possession and 25th in field-goal percentage defense.
With Ibaka gone, the Magic likely will play Aaron Gordon more at power forward, a position where many NBA scouts and at least some members of the Magic hierarchy think Gordon is best suited.
The trade was first reported by The Vertical.
