Trading for Serge Ibaka was a great move in all aspects for Toronto. Adding a floor-spacing, defensive veteran may be the key to their recent struggles which have seen the Raptor's lose 10 of the last 14 games. Toronto’s lop sided depth-chart boasts a great guard rotation but lacks a true ‘hierarchy’ in a weak frontcourt; leading to The Raptors inevitable failure at creating an elite starting lineup as they lack a true starting Power Forward. Starting Patterson at the 4 alongside Valanciunas creates great spacing and fluid team play but results in an underpowered bench unit that now has to rely on a frontcourt consisting of Nogueira and Siakam which possesses no spacing and no veteranship. Ibaka satisfies Toronto’s desire for spacing in addition to completing their frontcourt rotation making The Raptors an exciting team full of lethal potential.
Ibaka is at his best when he is playing off of slashing wings on an up-tempo team, highlighting his high off-ball IQ as well as ability to score well from anywhere on the court. Ibaka prefers to create opportunities off-ball resulting in 74.5% of his total field goals made being assisted. Additionally, 97.5% of Ibaka’s 1.5 threes-made/game are assisted alluding to initially-alarming questions regarding with his fit on Toronto, who have the second lowest assist-totals as a team with 18.6. Not too appealing if you’re Serge Ibaka who thrives off-ball. An immediate flood of Derozan-Isolation clips come to mind. Consider this, perhaps it is not selfish for Derozan and Lowry to take dozens of isolations a game, but out of necessity. Perhaps the lack of perimeter shooting is suspect, not ball-hogging.
The 27-year old Power Forward will essentially assume Patterson’s basic role and utility, but with an assumedly higher usage. Like Ibaka, Patterson is proficient in the paint in duality with being deadly from deep. 96.8% of Patterson’s 62 made-threes in addition to 76.8% of his total field goals have been assisted, suggesting that the Raptor’s are indeed willing, and able playmakers; however, given Patterson’s production as the receiver of Lowry/Derozan drive-and-dishes, it is safe to say that there total assist numbers as a team are low, because Patrick Patterson is there only inside-out, dual-threat big man. Excluding Patterson, all Toronto Power-Forwards and Centers have combined for a total of 6 made three pointers and 35 deep-two’s the entire season. 
Weaving Ibaka’s affinity for off-ball shooting with the spacing his presence will create for the Raptor’s could illustrate a playoff picture featuring Toronto near the top. Ibaka’s 4.38 assisted Field Goals in addition with Toronto’s 2nd-Lowest 18.6apg would shoot Toronto up the leaderboard to 12th-Most Assists/Game. Ibaka’s skillset and the spacing it commands would not only resuscitate the Raptor’s season, but accentuate what is to love about Raptors’ basketball. Kyle Lowry is an extremely sharp ball-handler in the Pick-and-Roll, evident in his ridiculous 1.04 Points Per Possession and 92nd Percentile out of the Pick and Roll. While Derozan and Lowry isolate and create around 80% of their own shots, they both possess relatively efficient field goal percentages of 47% and 46%. Spacing that Ibaka could facilitate would only improve those numbers. Ibaka has a commendable Win-Share of 2.2 on offense this season as well as 1.9 on defense. (What are Win-Shares?) Additionally, the 3x All-Defensive veteran is adding 1.6 Blocks per game this season and is a huge defensive stopper.
Concluding, Ibaka was the perfect acquisition for Toronto as his skillset not only will revive the team’s season but improve their offense and redefine the entire playoff picture. Ibaka is a great combination of shooting and a high basketball IQ and is just what the Raptors need. Tie in his defensive efforts and The Raptors have made a great move that may have just placed them within reach of the Finals.
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