Serge

Ibaka

Ibaka was dealt to Indiana as salary-filler in the trade that sent Jae Crowder to the Bucks. Serge will have the chance to find a contender to sign with, but it’s unlikely he finds a home that makes him worth rostering in fantasy.

Ibaka has been out of the lineup for personal reasons for the past month, so it isn’t a surprise the Bucks moved him when they got the chance. The veteran joins the Pacers, who just waived Goga Bitadze. This isn’t the worst news for Isaiah Jackson, unless Rick Carlisle opts to roll with Ibaka as the backup for Myles Turner. Even if that’s the case, Ibaka is long past his days of being an asset in fantasy basketball.

The Bucks were one of the teams that had interest in Crowder back in October, so it should come as no surprise that they’ll be in on him as the February 9th trade deadline approaches. The rumored deal is centered around Jordan Nwora, George Hill and Serge Ibaka, which would provide the Suns with depth, but none of these guys would be worth a roster spot in standard leagues, barring injury. Crowder wouldn’t slide into the starting unit in Milwaukee, but he’ll be a solid rotation player. He can provide 3-pointers and steals in deeper leagues if he sees a consistent role in Milwaukee.

It was reported on January 20 that Ibaka and the Bucks agreed that the team would find him a new destination before the trade deadline, as playing time has been hard to come by. So unless something changes, the next time we see Ibaka playing, it will likely be in a different team’s uniform.

The Bucks’ reserve big man will miss his sixth straight game for personal reasons. And there is currently no timetable on when he will rejoin the team. Ibaka has not played since late November.

Ibaka did not travel with the team for its four-game road trip, which concludes Saturday afternoon in Miami. The hope was that he’d be available for Monday’s game against the Pacers, the first of two home games in as many days that the Bucks will play. But that will not happen; it is unknown when Ibaka will be available to rejoin the team.

Ibaka will miss the Bucks’ four-game road trip that includes matchups with the Knicks, Hawks and Heat (twice). His next chance to return will be Monday when the Bucks return home to face the Pacers. His availability doesn’t impact fantasy hoops due to his limited playing time this season.

Ibaka has only appeared in two games since November 21, so his absence won’t impact fantasy basketball or the Bucks’ rotation. Hopefully, the issue keeping him away from the team gets resolved soon.

Ibaka is available for Monday’s game, but the Bucks’ frontcourt depth means it’s unlikely he’ll get the minutes needed to be a relevant fantasy option. Leave him on the waiver wire.

Ibaka has been sick on and off for the last few weeks, but even when he’s available, he doesn’t usually see the floor. As long as Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez are healthy, he won’t have an impact on fantasy hoops.