NBA trade roundup: Ibaka, Oladipo swapped

[June 24, 2016]  By Gethin Coolbaugh, The Sports Xchange
 
 During a week meant to celebrate the future stars of the NBA, it was the veterans who stole the spotlight.

Forward Serge Ibaka and guard Victor Oladipo were the biggest names moved during Thursday night's NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in New York, but they weren't alone.

Established stars such as Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, among others, also found new homes leading up to draft night.

On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to the No. 11 overall pick, forward Domantas Sabonis of Gonzaga.

Ibaka, a three-time selection to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team who led the league in blocks for four consecutive seasons from 2010-11 to 2013-14, spent his first six years in the league with the Thunder, averaging 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

In 2011-12, Ibaka was the runner up for the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award, which went to Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks. The power forward's best season came in 2013-14, when Ibaka averaged career highs in points (15.1 per game) and rebounds (8.8) to go along with 2.7 blocks.

Ibaka's numbers have tailed off ever since, and the 26-year-old averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 boards and 1.9 blocks this past season.

Oladipo, meanwhile, is entering his prime after three seasons in the league. The 24-year-old guard has filled up the stat sheet to the tune of career averages of 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, four assists and 1.6 steals.

The former two-time NBA Rookie of the Month has spent most of his career as a starter, but he has come off the bench 57 times. He will either battle Dion Waiters for the starting two-guard spot or serve as the Thunder's sixth man.

Sabonis, 20, averaged 17.6 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 33 games for the Bulldogs this season.

Marquese Chriss was the highest draft pick who found himself on the move Thursday, as the former University of Washington standout was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 8 overall pick, then dealt to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 13 pick and guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Greek center Georgios Papagiannis was Sacramento's selection at No. 13.

In addition, the Kings received the No. 28 overall pick, which was used to take Kentucky forward Skal Labissiere, and a second-round pick in 2020.

Several second-round picks were traded late Thursday night.

The Los Angeles Clippers selected Kansas forward/center Cheick Diallo with the 33rd overall pick, then sent him to the New Orleans Pelicans for the 39th and 40th picks, French guard David Michineau and Maryland forward Diamond Stone.

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired the No. 31 overall selection, Michigan State forward Deyonta Davis, and the No. 35 pick, Serbian forward Rade Zagorac, from the Boston Celtics in exchange for a future first-round pick originally acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Utah Jazz chose Seton Hall guard Isaiah Whitehead with the 42nd pick, then dealt him to the Brooklyn Nets for the 55th selection, North Carolina guard Marcus Paige, and cash. Whitehead grew up in Brooklyn.

"Just to be able to wear that Brooklyn uniform across my chest (is) an amazing accomplishment, and I can't wait for it," Whitehead said.

On Wednesday, the Chicago Bulls made a major move in dealing a former NBA MVP, Rose, to the New York Knicks. The Knicks gave up center Robin Lopez and guards Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant, while the Bulls included Justin Holiday and a future second-round pick to sweeten the pot.

Rose, a three-time All-Star guard and former Rookie of the Year, once battled LeBron James for supremacy in the Eastern Conference finals but hasn't been the same after sustaining multiple knee injuries.

Before the draft, the Kings traded guard Marco Belinelli to the Charlotte Hornets for the No. 22 overall pick, used to draft Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson.

The Brooklyn Nets also moved on from forward Young, who they sent to the Indiana Pacers for the No. 20 overall pick (Michigan guard Caris LeVert) and a future second-round pick.

The Pacers made a big splash earlier in the week when they acquired guard Teague from the Atlanta Hawks. Indiana sent guard George Hill to the Utah Jazz, who dealt the No. 12 overall pick back to Atlanta.

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