Golden State Warriors: 4 Buyout market candidates to target

By Tony Pesta | Feb 10, 2022

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21 : Serge Ibaka of LA Clippers is seen in action during NBA match between Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States on January 21, 2022. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors can pursue Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka’s role in LA has been steeply declining and it seems a buyout could be on the table. Does the former block champion have anything left in the tank?

Pros

Ibaka is the type of guy you’d feel safe betting on in the playoffs. If you are worried about cutting a current player for someone who won’t make the rotation, you can rest assured Ibaka would be useful in a playoff series against the likes of Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokic.

He’s been to the NBA Finals twice, winning a title against the Warriors in 2019. Despite his loss of athleticism, Ibaka can still protect the rim and is shooting close to 40 percent from the 3-point line this year.

Cons

Health is the issue with Ibaka. Sure, he’s a quality asset to have in the postseason — but will he be healthy enough to play?

He missed all but two games last playoffs for the Clippers and chunks of the current season. The Warriors would be taking a risk on the 32-year-old big man in this regard.

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