Report: Indiana Pacers expected to waive Serge Ibaka

Ibaka may not stick with the Pacers for long

Earlier today, the Indiana Pacers acquired veteran forward Serge Ibaka in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. They received two other players, three draft picks, and cash in the deal.

The Pacers had to waive three players to facilitate the trade. However, with the trade now complete, the blue and gold will reportedly move on from Ibaka. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Pacers will not be keeping the big man.

The Pacers will waive center Serge Ibaka, allowing the veteran big man to hit the open market, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2023

Ibaka, a 14-year veteran, would have had no role on the Pacers, and the team already has many veteran leaders in the locker room. Waiving Ibaka allows the center to get back on the market and find a better fitting team, perhaps one chasing a title.

The Pacers, meanwhile, open up a roster spot that they can use to sign a different player. Perhaps they could use it to bring back one of the three players they waived (Goga Bitadze, James Johnson, and Terry Taylor) to make the trade happen.

The Pacers also acquired George Hill and Jordan Nwora on trade deadline day.

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• Why a contract extension made sense for the Indiana Pacers and Myles Turner. CLICK HERE.
• Report: Pacers acquire Jordan Nwora from Milwaukee Bucks in trade. CLICK HERE.
• Source: Indiana Pacers to waive forward Terry Taylor. CLICK HERE.
• Daniel Theis debuted for the Indiana Pacers and showed how he can help the team. CLICK HERE.
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