The Toronto Raptors attempted to keep both Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol this offseason, which may really clarify when they lost both frontcourt players in free agency.
Michael Grange of Sportsnet reports Ibaka had interest in getting back to Toronto even with the information he would almost certainly need to acknowledge a one-year deal.
Be that as it may, the Raptors lowballed Ibaka with their offers, partially on the grounds that they actually needed to save space to re-sign Gasol. As indicated by Grange, the craving to likewise hold Gasol pestered Ibaka:
“But the Raptors’ first offer – about $12 million for the 2020-21 season – was below what he was expecting and while Toronto came up to $14 million, they were still trying to keep some powder dry to pursue Gasol. That didn’t go over well with Ibaka who, according to multiple sources, resented having to play behind the Spanish international and wasn’t going to sign on for a shared role again. Ibaka quickly pivoted to the Los Angeles Clippers and their two-year deal for $19 million.”
Both Gasol and Ibaka had huge significance to the franchise over the most recent two years, yet Toronto may have been exceptional off just focusing on re-signing Ibaka.
Gasol, amazingly, is outstanding amongst other passing bigs in basketball. He can likewise space the floor and still plays heavenly defense, regardless of whether he’s not exactly at Defensive Player of the Year levels any longer. Be that as it may, his hostile potential gain is restricted in contrast with Ibaka, who averaged a career-high 15.4 points per game a year ago and furthermore shot 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Considering the Raptors at present rank 29th out of 30 teams in terms of offensive rating, Ibaka would have given truly necessary frontcourt scoring, especially with Pascal Siakam battling to begin the season.
All things being equal, the Raptors were rebuffed for attempting to share the wealth around.
