Last fall Serge Ibaka was one of the most sought after longs on the market, with several contenders ready to court him to have him sign with them (including his friend Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn Nets). The long Congolese, however, after a good start with the LA Clippers, he had a difficult season due to a very complicated back injury, which forced him to skip 30 regular season games before returning to the field for the last two and the first two playoff games against Dallas. Four extras that were enough to make him say enough: as also announced by the team, Ibaka has decided to have back surgery and to put an early end to his season with Los Angeles. “There is nothing I would love more than being out on the court with my brothers to try and win a #ClipperNation title,” Ibaka wrote straight from the hospital bed. “It’s been a very tough season, I worked hard to get back in time for the playoffs but sometimes injuries get in the way and health must be the priority. I appreciate all the support I have received: now my focus is on supporting the team and getting back to health, so as to prepare me for next season”.
The repercussions for the Clippers market
The last words are particularly interesting, given that Ibaka has a $ 9.7 million player option in his favor to be exercised. Considering how complicated a back injury is after turning 30, Ibaka would have every interest in exercising it and thus ensuring a year of salary that he would not receive if he presented himself on the market this year, working to get back in shape next year and help the Clippers – that tonight they will play the season in Game 3 against the Utah Jazz in a match to be followed also on Sky Sport NBA both live at 2.30am and on Sunday in rerun with commentary in Italian.
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