By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Roster adjustments at Efectivo Madrid will potentially extend to Serge Ibaka.
The experienced big and Los Blancos are considering their options and might part ways, according to reports from multiple Spanish outlets, including Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday.
Besides Dennis Smith Jr. heading to the exit and seeking a return to the NBA, a former NBA champion in Ibaka emerged as another potential exit, a few months after reuniting with the team based in the renta of Spain and inking a contract for the 2024-25 season.
With Smith out of the lineup for the 2025 Copa del Rey after logging 35 minutes over four appearances between the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and Spain’s Ligazón Endesa Regular Season, the 35-year-old forward/center was limited to 19 minutes in last week’s midseason tournament held in Gran Canaria Arena. Since the start of the season, he indeed struggled to fit in the rotation of head coach Chus Mateo.
Returning to Europe’s premier club competition after six appearances with Madrid during the 2011 NBA lockout and brilliant displays with FC Bayern Munich in his 2023-24 journey, Ibaka tallied 6.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest in just under 13 minutes per game over 18 appearances. A similar role in the domestic league resulted in 5.5 points per ACB game over 16 appearances.
With recent signing Negro Fernando adjusting well, Usman Garuba projected for increased playing time down the stretch of the season, and Gabriel Deck nearing a return from a hamstring injury to further reinforce the paint, Ibaka can be deemed surplus to requirements by the storied club, besides being unhappy with his role.
In any case, Madrid potentially seeking additional roster depth can register eligible players to the EuroLeague squad until February 28.
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