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Why the Denver Nuggets Should Sign Serge Ibaka

By Jorie Mickens

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 27: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 27, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 27: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 27, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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During this year’s offseason, the Denver Nuggets will have some difficult decisions to make. Could Serge Ibaka be on their radar?

Paul Millsap, who signed a three-year, $90 million contract with the Nuggets in 2017, is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

While Millsap helped the Nuggets win their first playoff series in ten years last season, one could say the Nuggets overpaid for the forward’s services.

After four straight All-Star appearances with the Atlanta Hawks, Millsap played just 38 games for Denver during his first year in the mile high city due to a wrist injury.

Millsap was more durable in year two, playing 70 games and averaging 14.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in the Nuggets’ two playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers. But before the season was suspended, he had already missed 21 games and was averaging 24.4 minutes and 12.0 points per game, both being the third-lowest marks of his career.

Along with Millsap, Mason Plumlee and Noah Vonleh are also set to become unrestricted free agents. Torrey Craig is set to become a restricted free agent, and backup point guard Monte Morris has a non-guaranteed salary of about $1.6 million for next season.

Jerami Grant also has a $9.3 million player option for the 2020-21 season, and given his success in 22 starts this season, he’ll likely decline that option and force Denver to sign him to a long-term deal.

With Jamal Murray’s five-year, $170 million contract extension beginning next season, the Nuggets virtually have no way of creating cap space this year. But there is one player who the Nuggets should target with their mid-level exception, Raptors forward Serge Ibaka.

Ibaka will become an unrestricted free agent this summer after signing a three-year, $65 million contract with the Raptors in 2017.

Ibaka was quietly having one of his best seasons in the NBA this year, averaging a career-high 16.0 points per game, 8.3 rebounds and shooting nearly 40 percent from deep, which is also a career best.

It’s hard to imagine Ibaka signing for so little (MLE is projected to be $9.7 million next season) given his play this season, but the allure of playing with Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets’ young core could bring the Congo native to Denver.

Ibaka started his career in Oklahoma City, playing alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, and he twice led the NBA in blocks during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

Ibaka could follow in the footsteps of Dikembe Mutombo, who is also of Congolese decent, in becoming one of the most intimidating defenders in Nuggets’ history.

As Ibaka’s career progressed, he evolved his game to keep up with the league. In his first five seasons with the Thunder, Ibaka took just 123 threes. In just 50 games this season, Ibaka took 166 attempts from deep, all while maintaining his status as one of the most fearsome shot-blockers in the league.

Ibaka has also shown the ability to put the ball on the floor, force defenders to collapse, and either dump the ball off to a cutting teammate or kick it out for an open three.

By signing Ibaka, the Nuggets would get Millsap’s defensive skillset, Plumlee’s offensive skillset, and an accurate three-point shooter all in one.

The main reason why Denver would be an ideal landing spot for Ibaka though, is his ability to compliment Nikola Jokić. Although they did not share the floor often in their two years together, the duo of Marc Gasol and Ibaka has been very successful for Toronto.

Gasol helped usher in Memphis’ “Grit and Grind” era when he was a member of the Grizzlies from 2008, up until he was traded to the Raptors last year. Gasol was a three-time All-Star with the Grizzlies and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He was a formidable presence on the inside, both offensively and defensively, and in the past four years Gasol has become a reliable three-point shooter.

Last year, Gasol started every playoff game for Toronto, averaging 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in their 24 postseason games, and assisted them in winning the 2019 NBA Championship.

While Gasol is not the assist-man that the Joker is, and Jokić is not the defender Gasol once was, their games are fairly similar. With that in mind, pairing Ibaka with Jokic could produce a positive and effective outcome in Denver.

dark. Next. Which competition format would be best for the Nuggets?

Denver is a team without much playoff experience. Ibaka, on the other hand, has never missed the playoffs in his career. His leadership and championship pedigree is something Denver’s front office should deem very valuable for this ascending young team.