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Minnesota Timberwolves: Serge Ibaka is offseason target

By Dylan Jackson

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors is congratulated by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors after making a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half in game three of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors is congratulated by Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors after making a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half in game three of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to be on the search for a complement to their current franchise centerpiece.

One of the things that the Minnesota Timberwolves need the most right now is someone that can play alongside Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt. This offseason, there are a plethora of available players that could fill that role.

One of the best options among those players is Serge Ibaka, who is coming off of a solid season which he averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, and 0.8 blocks. Ibaka played roughly 27 minutes per game for a Raptors team that finished as the 2nd overall seed in the Eastern Conference and took a second-round exit to the Boston Celtics in the 2020 playoffs.

Ibaka brings a lot that the Timberwolves need. First, he can stretch the floor – and he does it incredibly well. This past year, he averaged 39-percent from the 3-point line and has shot 36-percent over the course of his 11-season-long career (roughly two attempts per game).

Ibaka is also a really high-level rim protector, averaging over two blocks per game throughout his career. He has led the league in blocks twice and been selected to two All-Defense teams.

Another thing that stands out with Ibaka is his ability to play with other bigs (crucial given Towns is the Wolves’ best player). In 88 total minutes (not much, but enough to indicate something of a correlation), when Marc Gasol and Ibaka were sharing the floor together, net points skyrocketed. Assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage also all went up (by a wide margin).

The Minnesota Timberwolves do give up quite a bit to bring in Serge Ibaka. That said, his fit is perhaps the best that the Wolves are going to find anytime soon. He brings the two traits that fit best next to Towns: the ability to space the floor and protect the rim.

The Raptors getting Jake Layman and a pick for a player that they are likely going to lose anyways is a win for them, especially given Ibaka is leaving the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are not going anywhere soon, so getting a young player and a pick to take on a one-year James Johnson contract is not a bad deal for them, either.

Next. Mock Draft 4.0, Wolves with first pick. dark

The Minnesota Timberwolves would have, essentially, four really good players in their starting lineup: D’Angelo Russell, the presumed first-overall pick Anthony Edwards, Serge Ibaka, and Karl-Anthony Towns.