Raptors swing deal with Magic for Ibaka

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors were cartwheeling down the Eastern Conference standings, and a sense of unease had seeped into the dressing room.

Team president Masai Ujiri made a big splash Tuesday to try to get the club back on track by reeling in Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic, acquiring a player he’s long coveted and filling a void at the power forward position. The Raptors gave up Terrence Ross and a first-round pick in the 2017 draft in exchange for the pivotal big man.

“He’s definitely one of a kind when it comes to rim protection, being able to score in the post, and also space the floor as well,” Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan said at the team’s morning shootaround in Chicago. “Sucks to see [Terrence] go, but now we’ve got to make this new adjustment with a great new addition.”

The Raptors confirmed the deal late Tuesday afternoon. Ibaka was expected to fly to Toronto on Tuesday evening and, depending on how low his physical takes, could be in uniform today when the Raptors host Charlotte.

“Some people say parts of his game have changed, he’s become a really good shooter,” Ujiri said at an evening press conference. “But I’ve know this guy for years, he’s a helluva competitor, he brings playoff experience, he’s played in the NBA finals before. Everyone knows who Serge is, he’s a warrior. Every time he steps on the court he competes.

“He’ll give us good rim protection, he’s a good defender and I think he can play multiple positions too, which will help us.”

The move came with the Raptors mired in their worst slump in two seasons. Entering Tuesday night’s game against the Bulls, the Raptors had dropped 10 of their last 14 games to slip from second to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.