Raptors fill ‘huge need’ by trading for Magic forward Ibaka
Kyle Lowry said something had to change in Toronto. Serge Ibaka is on his way to try to make that happen.
The Raptors acquired the veteran power forward from Orlando on Tuesday for Terrence Ross and a 2017 firstround draft pick.
Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan said the trade of Ibaka for Ross was necessary for the Magic to have a chance of salvaging a season that has gone drastically off course.
The Raptors made the move with the postseason and possible championship run in mind.
“Any time you can add a talent who has got playoff experience, (NBA) Finals experience, and a defender and two-way player like Ibaka has got to give us a boost,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “Ibaka fills a huge need.”
Ibaka is averaging 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Garden ban lifted on Oakley
Charles Oakley is allowed back in Madison Square Garden, though the former New York Knicks star says he wants an apology before he would return.
MSG chairman James Dolan banned Oakley last week, two days after the former forward had an altercation with security guards while attending a game and was arrested.
But the sides reconciled, helped by a meeting Monday at NBA headquarters with commissioner Adam Silver, with Hall of Famer Michael Jordan participating in by phone. Jordan and Oakley were teammates in Chicago before Oakley was traded to New York, where he became a fan favorite with the Knicks from 1988-98.
Cavs lose Love to knee surgery
Kevin Love won’t be able to help the Cleveland Cavaliers down the stretch this season.
The All-Star forward will miss at least six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, a blow to the defending NBA champions as they try to lock up the top seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in the playoffs. Love is averaging 20 points and 11.1 rebounds.
From D-League to G-League
The G-League is near. The NBA Development League is changing its name starting next season to the NBA Gatorade League, a deal that will include a rebranding that will affect the league logo, basketballs, jerseys, oncourt signage and digital properties.