Nets: Serge Ibaka’s Kevin Durant quote will have you thinking reunion

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to his basket along with Serge Ibaka #9 in the final seconds of a 100-99 Thunder win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 21, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to his basket along with Serge Ibaka #9 in the final seconds of a 100-99 Thunder win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 21, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Serge Ibaka’s Kevin Durant quote should make you more confident in him joining the Nets.

Show of hands, who could use a force in the paint like Serge Ibaka to help shore things up and keep the second unit calm, perhaps? The Brooklyn Nets? And also everyone?

Just one season removed from an improbable NBA Championship as Kawhi Leonard’s wingman in Toronto, Ibaka is now headed into free agency, and the 31-year-old is due for a multi-year deal with one of many contenders.

Might he be interested in chasing a piece of his past to Brooklyn?

Ibaka and Kevin Durant came up together during the halcyon days of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and based on the way he spoke about his old running mate earlier this year, he’s got more than just a soft spot for KD. No, no. This is a full-on brotherhood.

Sounds good to us!

We’ve been seeing rumors flying about everyone and their mother coming to BK to be the Nets’ third star, but adding a supplementary scoring option and leader like Ibaka would make a lot more sense.

Plus, there’s a high likelihood that no suitor will have to compete with Ibaka’s former team in Toronto to retain his services. The Raptors were barely able to make a play for Leonard a year ago, and seem resigned to losing Ibaka, too, with top point guard Fred VanVleet also hitting free agency.

For what it’s worth, Ibaka has cleared everything Raptors-related from his Instagram bio, which feels like fairly standard free agent behavior, at this point.

https://twitter.com/Hou5ton4L/status/1316444832261341186?s=20

In 2019-20, Ibaka averaged a career-high 15.4 points per game, as well as 8.2 rebounds. His post game has gotten highly evolved over the past few seasons, and his silky floater is an always-reliable option these days.

All things considered, Brooklyn has to keep their high-priced addition comfortable in the big city, and importing a de facto brother might do just that.