Phoenix Suns 2022 Free Agents to Avoid: Serge Ibaka
Contending teams and big name, aging free agents often go hand-in-hand. This offseason, Serge Ibaka is one of the more recognizable talents to hit the market, and with Phoenix reportedly looking to upgrade at power forward, some might connect the dots between both parties.
Instead, the Suns need to keep their distance. Able to stretch the floor and defend the rim, Ibaka from a few years ago would embody a perfect fit on this Suns team. But now, the name is bigger than the production.
Since playing a large role off the bench in the Toronto Raptors’ championship season three years ago, Ibaka battled injuries with the Los Angeles Clippers. Then this past year when LA sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks to assist in their title defense, he fell out of the rotation, appearing in only two contests during the Western Conference Semifinals where he logged a collective three minutes.
Although Ibaka is just 32 years old, his game seemed to age at a much faster rate. If the Suns move on from Jae Crowder or Ayton this summer, or even if Saric struggles, relying on Ibaka down low feels like a nightmare scenario for this team with championship aspirations.
If the Suns sign him to a veteran’s minimum and stash him deep on their bench, Ibaka will not sink the team. But still, better options to solidify the team’s front court certainly exist on the market.