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Nets: Kevin Durant recruiting Serge Ibaka is a pipe dream

By Jerry Trotta

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with Serge Ibaka #9 against the Memphis Grizzlies iin Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 21, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with Serge Ibaka #9 against the Memphis Grizzlies iin Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 21, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Given the financial implications, Nets star Kevin Durant recruiting former teammate Serge Ibaka to Brooklyn is a long shot.

After the signings of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last summer, Brooklyn Nets fans have been waiting for the front office to equip them with a third star, and understandably so. While some would argue that they already have the pieces in place and don’t need to make further upgrades, more talent can’t hurt, especially if it fits the system.

However, given that Durant and Irving were signed to max contracts, general manager Sean Marks has to pick and choose where he could potentially make a splash in free agency. In order to afford a potential third star, that player would either have to take a colossal discount or the Nets would have to shed salary cap by orchestrating some trades.

That’s precisely the predicament Brooklyn finds itself in regards to Serge Ibaka, who, according to Mike Mazzeo of Forbes Sports, is being recruited by Durant. Per the report, the Nets star is hoping that their friendship and the prospect of competing for another championship will convince Ibaka to pass on the opportunity to ink a lucrative contract and instead sign for the mid-level exception.

We don’t doubt that Ibaka values his relationship with Durant, but would he really bypass the chance to land what will likely be the final sizable contract of his career to make $5.7 million this season and a maximum of $18 million over three years? That’s what the mid-level exception, which was created to provide financially-constrained teams with the requisite flexibility to sign free agents for more than the minimum salary, would guarantee him.

To put that discount into perspective, the 31-year-old vet earned $23.3 million last season with Toronto and hasn’t made less than $5.7 million since his rookie deal, which paid him $1.46 million annually from 2009 to 2012. Throw in the fact that Ibaka is fresh off his most productive season to date, and he literally has every reason to pursue the richest contract available.

In 55 games (27 starts) with Toronto, the three-time All-Defensive Team member averaged a career-high 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game with respectable .521/.385/.718 shooting splits.

We love the idea of the sort of rim protection the Nets would boast with Ibaka, Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan manning the paint, and Durant deserves massive credit for trying to make it happen. Unfortunately, however, the financial implications make it nothing more than a pipe dream.

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