A wild trade rumor is on its way going to the second week of the NBA regular season. And it involves both the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic who are doing just fine at the moment but are still looking for an upgrade on their roster to contend with other teams.
Currently, the Lakers are looking good and now holding a 4-3 record after three straight wins against the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns and an upset win over the Golden State Warriors. On the other hand, the Magic are also doing great, after losing their first three games, they struck three consecutive wins against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards.
But now, both teams are trying to explore the trade market as they would like to form a competitive roster in order to catch up those contender teams such as the Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs. According to iSportsTimes.com, the Lakers are showing a great interest in acquiring Serge Ibaka when he becomes a free agent next summer.
Ibaka who have been with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the past seven season was traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, Domantas Sabonis and a first-round pick from the Magic last NBA draft as per stated in the report. And now, the Lakers seem to be willing to release some notable player on their roster in able to acquire Ibaka.
According to The Inquisitr, a trade proposal is now being considered both by Lakers and Magic involving some quality players which includes Ibaka. Trade scenario is suggesting that Lakers will send Julius Randle and Luol Deng to the Magic in exchange for Serge Ibaka and Jeff Green.
But, there are factors to be considered in able to make this deal to proceed as per stated in the report. If look closely, the four-player trade seems a direct swap on their position as Randle will replace Ibaka and Deng will replace Green in the Magic's rotation and vice versa.
However, Deng and Green just recently signed their contract to their teams and that means they are eligible to be traded only on December 15 so the trade deal might happen after that date. Furthermore, the salary of the four players is a setback to make this deal work as it doesn't pass the NBA salary cap rules as Ibaka and Green combined salary is $6 million more than those Randle and Deng combined salary.
This means that the trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic is likely not happening as of the moment mainly for two reason - two players are ineligible to be traded and the combined salaries of the four players will be rejected by the NBA.
