Free agent forward/center Serge Ibaka has signed with German club FC Bayern Munich for the upcoming season, according to a press release from the team.
“We are incredibly proud and happy that such a highly decorated athlete like Serge Ibaka believes in our journey,” club president Herbert Heiner said, per the release. “We are convinced that he will not only be a tremendous asset in terms of sports but also a enrichment for German basketball. I am certain that our young players will greatly benefit from his vast experience.”
Ibaka, who won an NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019, holds career averages of 12.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks across 919 NBA appearances (697 starts).
The 6’10” big man was originally drafted by the Thunder (then SuperSonics) with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2008 draft. Oklahoma City brought Ibaka over in the 2009/10 season and he played there through 2016, helping the team reach the 2012 NBA Finals.
During his time with the Thunder, Ibaka became one of the league’s premier shot blockers, averaging 2.5 blocks across 524 appearances with Oklahoma City. In arguably his best defensive season, the year the Thunder fell in the 2012 Finals, Ibaka averaged 3.7 blocks.
In the 2016 offseason, Ibaka was traded to the Magic in the deal that landed Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in Oklahoma City. The Congolese big appeared in 56 games with Orlando before being traded to the Raptors at the 2017 trade deadline in exchange for Terrence Ross. Ibaka was a key rotation piece for Toronto’s championship team, putting up 15.0 points per night in the regular season and 9.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 24 playoff games.
After leaving the Raptors following the 2019/20 season, Ibaka had brief stints with the Clippers and Bucks before being traded at the 2023 deadline to the Pacers, who waived him.
In signing Ibaka, Bayern Munich is getting a two-time NBA block champ and three-time All-Defensive Team member. The release mentions the team’s roster is complete with the signing, putting the finishing touches on an impressive offseason that saw the club ink former NBAers Carsen Edwards and Leandro Bolmaro.
Ibaka is Oklahoma City’s all-time franchise leader in total blocks, with 1,300, and in blocks per game, with 2.5.
“[Ibaka]’s career speaks for itself,” Bayern Munich sport director Daniele Baiesi said, per the release. “With him, we get size, the ability to open up the court, and a huge presence on and off the field. Without a doubt, this is a very prestigious transfer and demonstrates the credibility of our program.“
Magic trading Oladipo and Sabonis for a half season of Ibaka is brutal.
To be clear, it was a draft night trade so the Magic never actually had Sabonis.
The Magic ended up flipping Ibaka for a first rounder, so they replaced the pick (albeit downgraded, from 11th to 17th).
The chain of that FRP (sent to WAS for a future FRP, which became the Tyrese Maxey pick, which was sent to PHI) lead to the Magic acquiring Markelle Fultz via trade
From the perspective of the Magic, yes. From a Thunder fan’s perspective, that trade was the first in a string that has seen Sam Presti turn the 2008, 24th overall pick into Shai, Jalen Williams, Tre Mann, a 2024 1st, 2026 1st
His best time and success was by far with the Raptors. Great championship team, they could have repeated while Serge was still in the prime and the claw had approx 1 year left in the tank. (good thing it’s the Clips paying him for nothing these days).
Urgin serg
NBA and silver don’t like veterans. Goodbye fair well