NBA Rumors: Serge Ibaka Looking For Trade

The Los Angeles Clippers are currently riding a 4-game win streak, and apparently have no urgency to find any minutes for center Serge Ibaka. He's been out of the rotation for the duration of the streak, and this has left "Mafuzzy chef" hungry for some playing time, and perhaps, according to rumors, a trade. 

Ibaka became eligible to be traded as of today, and observers are reading the tea leaves. Serge actually "liked" a tweet this week that suggested he was about to be dealt. 

Not sure if it's by accident, but Serge Ibaka just liked a tweet about getting traded. pic.twitter.com/Cp998uuZur

— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) December 15, 2021

The tweet read "I'm 90% sure Serge Ibaka's getting traded Dec. 15th." The well-dressed center has since "unliked" the tweet, but there's no doubt he's unhappy with his role currently. On Monday, he didn't join his teammates on the bench for the start of their home game with the Phoenix Suns.

Serge Ibaka arrives from the locker room and takes his sideline seat about eight minutes into the game.

— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) December 14, 2021

Ibaka took his seat at the end of the Clippers' bench about eight minutes into the game. 

Before that game, head coach Ty Lue indicated he had spoken with his shot-blocking big man—"Keep that between us, we've had conversations and that's about all"—but no indications of what was discussed.  

There are a number of centers apparently on the trade market this season, including Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, and Portland Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic, to name a few. 

Perhaps it's time to add Serge Ibaka's name to the list. 

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports