NBA Notes: Serge Ibaka traded to Raptors

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Kyle Lowry said something had to change in Toronto. Serge Ibaka is on his way to try to make that happen.

The Raptors acquired the veteran power forward from Orlando on Tuesday for Terrence Ross and a 2017 first round draft pick.

Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan said Tuesday evening the trade of Ibaka for Ross was necessary for the Magic to have a chance of salvaging a season that has gone drastically off course.

The Raptors made the move with the postseason and possible championship run in mind.

"Any time you can add a talent who has got playoff experience, (NBA) Finals experience, and a defender and two-way player like Ibaka has got to give us a boost," Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Tuesday night in Chicago before the Raptors-Bulls game. "Ibaka fills a huge need.

"His style of play fits our style of play. ... There's nothing we're doing that he hasn't seen before. It won't take him long to pick up the terminology" (see full story)

Oakley's ban lifted
NEW YORK — A person briefed on the discussions tells The Associated Press that Madison Square Garden has lifted its ban of Charles Oakley.

The person who spoke to the AP on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the discussions were to remain private says the former Knicks star who was arrested at a game last week is welcome back at the arena.

Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan banned Oakley on Friday, two days after the former power forward had an altercation with security guards while attending a game.

But the sides reconciled quickly, helped by a meeting Monday at NBA headquarters with Commissioner Adam Silver and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Jordan and Oakley were teammates in Chicago before Oakley was traded to New York, where he became a fan favorite with the Knicks from 1988-98 (see full story).

Love lost
CLEVELAND — Cavaliers All-Star forward Kevin Love will be out at least six weeks following knee surgery.

Love had the operation on his left knee Tuesday in New York. The Cavs said he will be sidelined approximately six weeks, which would have him returning by April 1. The playoffs start later that month.

The 28-year-old had complained of soreness and had swelling in his knee following Saturday's win over Denver. Love is averaging 20 points and 11.1 rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who are in Minnesota to play their second-to-last game before the All-Star break.

Love, who recently missed some games with back spasms, has been having his best season with Cleveland. Following two seasons of drama and trade rumors, he has blended in with stars LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

Love's absence will put further stress on Cleveland's depth and could force general manager David Griffin to make a major move before the Feb. 23 trading deadline (see full story).

Welcome to the G-League
SALT LAKE CITY — The NBA Development League will be renamed to the NBA Gatorade League for the 2017-18 season.

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum says the agreement also allows the "G-League" to take advantage of Gatorade's Sports Science Institute. Tatum says the league will use the institute's "sports science expertise and knowledge to enhance player performance in our game" through nutrition, training and other advances.

Gatorade senior vice president and general manager Brett O'Brien listed several examples: testing for a player's sweat type and amount, if they are a fat burner or carbohydrate burner, recovery advances and joint health.

The league also remains a testing ground for changes that could be implemented into the parent league (see full story).

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