The Bucks may have several options in their effort to find a trade for Serge Ibaka, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype. League sources tell Scotto that the Nets, Heat and Hawks are among a group of teams closely watching the Ibaka situation ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
NBA executives believe a second-round pick will be enough to acquire the veteran big man, who has barely played for Milwaukee this season, averaging just 11.6 minutes in 16 games. He hasn’t been on the court since Jan. 1 and is currently away from the team as it tries to work out a deal.
Scotto notes that Brooklyn is intriguing because Ibaka played alongside Kevin Durant for several seasons in Oklahoma City. The Nets have been searching for experienced frontcourt help, and Ibaka offers both rim protection and three-point shooting.
With the Heat possibly moving on from backup center Dewayne Dedmon, Ibaka could provide a low-cost alternative, Scotto adds. Dedmon, whose playing time was reduced before his recent one-game suspension, became trade eligible on Jan. 15.
The Hawks may believe they need insurance at center due to Clint Capela's injury woes. Capela returned to the lineup last Monday after missing the previous 10 games with a calf injury, but he has been limited to 31 games this season.
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