After the initial shock of the Orlando Magic’s sudden trade of Victor Oladipo to the Oklahoma City Thunder subsided, the question of what the Magic could and would do with Serge Ibaka remained.
For four years, the Magic were seemingly looking for a way to resolve the Nikola Vucevic question. His jump shooting and offensive ability made him unique among centers, but his defensive shortcomings were evident. And there were only so many power forwards who could play in the modern NBA and provide the rim protection to cover for Nikola Vucevic’s shortcomings.