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Knicks Trade Rumors: Serge Ibaka Could Be The Answer To New York’s Woes

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts and celebrates against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts and celebrates against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts to scoring a basket while being fouled by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (not pictured) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts to scoring a basket while being fouled by Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (not pictured) during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Solidifying The Defense

Serge Ibaka may not have a Defensive Player of the Year award, but it would be easy to argue that he should. He’s led the NBA in blocks per game in two different seasons, has received three All-Defensive First Team selections, and was the anchor for a perennial contender.

The New York Knicks would have to address the surplus of big men if this trade were to be made, but Ibaka could be the answer to New York’s defensive questions.

Ibaka has a career average of 2.4 blocks per game and ranks No. 13 in the NBA in that regard in 2016-17. He routinely ranks amongst the league’s elite in defensive field goal percentage at the rim and is one of the most feared interior defenders in the association.

Ibaka’s defensive impact is down in 2016-17, but the working theory around the NBA is that he’s lost some motivation due to a feeling of being unwanted over the past two seasons.

In New York, Ibaka would have a chance to re-establish himself as an elite defender in a major market. With the lower and upper body strength to defend bruising low-post scorers at both interior positions, Ibaka would alleviate pressure from Kristaps Porzingis.

Everyone wants a scorer, but the one and only way for New York to turn this season around is to improve on defense.

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