OKLAHOMA CITY, June 23, 2016 – The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to forward Domantas Sabonis from the Orlando Magic in exchange for forward Serge Ibaka, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today.
“Tonight represented an opportunity to build the versatility, depth and skill of our basketball team. Victor, Ersan and Domantas represent the character, work ethic and toughness that we relentlessly pursue with the Thunder. Through the continued emergence and development of our core, we were able to capitalize on the opportunity to acquire three highly skilled professionals,” said Presti. “I want to acknowledge Serge for his contributions to the ongoing legacy of the Thunder. He has been integral to our success and growth, has been a great community member and we wish him only the best.”
Oladipo (6-4, 210), the second overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, averaged 16.0 points, a career-high 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, a team-high 1.61 steals and 33.0 minutes in 72 games (52 starts) with Orlando this past season. The third-year guard has appeared in 224 games (167 starts) with Orlando, averaging 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.63 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. The Indiana University product was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Ilyasova (6-10, 235), an eight-year NBA veteran, averaged 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 25.4 minutes with Detroit and Orlando last year. He owns career averages of 10.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 24.1 minutes in 527 games (313 starts) with Milwaukee, Detroit and Orlando.
Sabonis (6-11, 240), was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga. The forward earned All-WCC First Team honors as a sophomore after averaging 17.6 points on .611 shooting from the field (239-of-391), 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 31.8 minutes in 36 games with the Bulldogs. The forward was named to the All-WCC Second Team, All-WCC Freshman Team, NIT All-Tournament Team and NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team as a freshman. He played in 35 games in 2013-14 for Unicaja Malaga in the Spanish ACB league.
Ibaka appeared in 78 games (all starts) for the Thunder this past season, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.90 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game. Originally selected by Oklahoma City with the 24th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, Ibaka appeared in 524 games (413 starts) during seven seasons with the Thunder, averaging 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.48 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game. The forward was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team three times and led the league in blocks four times.