Clippers In Hot Pursuit Of Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka
The Los Angeles Clippers are looking to add an experienced center to bolster their frontcourt rotation.
According to The New York Times’ Marc Stein, the Clippers have their sights set on free agents Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. Both veteran bigs played key roles on the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship team.
L.A is looking to fill the void left by 2019-20 Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell, who “shocked” the Clippers by turning down money to sign with Staples Center-rival Los Angeles Lakers via mid-level exception.
The Clippers did re-sign power forward Marcus Morris to a hefty four-year, $64 million deal.
Of course, the Clippers aren’t the only team interested in Gasol and Ibaka — two of the most accomplished players on the market.
As Stein notes, the Raptors and Brooklyn Nets are competing for Ibaka, too, which could make Gasol a more feasible option for the Clippers. (The Nets may already have a deal with Ibaka, according to Kevin Durant’s brother.)
The Lakers are interested in Gasol’s services as well, after Dwight Howard signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, per Stein.
Ibaka mostly came off the bench for Toronto in 2019-20, but still had one of his most productive seasons as a Raptor. The 31-year old averaged 15.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.2% from the field, including 38.5% from downtown.
Gasol, 35, averaged a career-low 7.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game last season (his 13th) for Toronto, yet remains a valuable contributor on both ends of the floor — and in the locker room — due to his immeasurable hoops IQ and polished skill set.
