Music to my ears: Ibaka Wants To Stay With Magic 'Forever'

[Skin]

From the WT

The Orlando Magic traded for Serge Ibaka this offseason one season before he becomes a free agent in 2017.

“I’m looking to stay here to play forever — for [as] many, many years as possible,” said Ibaka.

The Magic hope Ibaka enjoys playing for Frank Vogel and also having a bigger role in the offense and in the locker room.

“We certainly traded for Serge thinking long-term, and that’s our expectation,” Rob Hennigan said.

Ibaka is due to earn $12.3 million during the upcoming season.

Josh Robbins/Orlando Sentinel

EXHALE. We didn't lose Oladipo for nothing.

[woosah]

meh. they all say that.

Yay anyway though.

[jonskilly]

Sure, nice to hear - but I'm not going to get too excited. He hasn't even played 1 game with the Magic yet. What he said is similar to when you're younger and you tell your girlfriend I'll never leave you.

[uraverage]

Dwight wanted to stay too.

[ChosenSavior]

When he signs his next contract with the Magic, then I'll react. Unfortunately these are just words at this point.

[OrlDave]

meh. they all say that.

Yay anyway though.

Not usually that strongly. I can't remember anyone saying "forever", but who knows, he hasn't actually played for us yet.

[woosah]

meh. they all say that.

Yay anyway though.

Not usually that strongly. I can't remember anyone saying "forever", but who knows, he hasn't actually played for us yet.

July 12, 2007 - Dwight Howard signed his first contract extension with the Orlando Magic. It was a five-year deal worth the maximum $83,235,900 and one that Howard said would keep him in Orlando for the rest of his career.

"I always said I wanted to be here until I retire myself. Me and Mickey Mouse will be here forever. I am very excited about re-signing with the Magic and I want to be here until I retire. There is no other place that I want to be besides in Orlando."

[OrlDave]

meh. they all say that.

Yay anyway though.

Not usually that strongly. I can't remember anyone saying "forever", but who knows, he hasn't actually played for us yet.

July 12, 2007 - Dwight Howard signed his first contract extension with the Orlando Magic. It was a five-year deal worth the maximum $83,235,900 and one that Howard said would keep him in Orlando for the rest of his career.

"I always said I wanted to be here until I retire myself. Me and Mickey Mouse will be here forever. I am very excited about re-signing with the Magic and I want to be here until I retire. There is no other place that I want to be besides in Orlando."

touche

Also I hate Dwight.

[OrlandO]

He hasn't even played 1 game with the Magic yet.

That's actually why I really like the comment. He doesn't need to play a single game to have optimism about staying here. That type of attitude is the best we could hope for at this point in the process. Now we just need the team to come together and win games... that would only encourage him to stay even more.

[OrlandO]

meh. they all say that.

Yay anyway though.

Not usually that strongly. I can't remember anyone saying "forever", but who knows, he hasn't actually played for us yet.

July 12, 2007 - Dwight Howard signed his first contract extension with the Orlando Magic. It was a five-year deal worth the maximum $83,235,900 and one that Howard said would keep him in Orlando for the rest of his career.

"I always said I wanted to be here until I retire myself. Me and Mickey Mouse will be here forever. I am very excited about re-signing with the Magic and I want to be here until I retire. There is no other place that I want to be besides in Orlando."

Difference is dwight was already here, was on his rookie deal and was about to be a restricted free agent. Ibaka was forced here in a trade and will be unrestricted next summer... he had no obligation or expectation to say what he did this early. The players who usually do so are guys who aren't highly sought after...

[Driguez]

The optimist in me wants to believe his words, but the realist in me says he's just saying the right things. Will see next summer.

[erod009]

I'd rather see Dwight back in Orlando than losing Tobias, Oladipo and Sabonis for Ibaka, Biyombo and SF Gordon.

[Howard Mass]

It's a positive sign.

[Def Swami]

It's encouraging, but have to see the signature to really buy into it.

[JF5]

He's just saying the right things... I'll believe him if or when he resigns..

[Skin]

Pressure is now on Hennigan to officially begin working that extension offer.

[Nemesis21]

I'd rather see Dwight back in Orlando than losing Tobias, Oladipo and Sabonis for Ibaka, Biyombo and SF Gordon.

[OrlandoDream]

Great to hear that be wants to be here. That was number 2. Number one is getting those papers signed.

Don't mean a thing without the ink.

[Furinkazan]

they all say right stuff
till sht happens
but Its nice to hear it though

[axl_c_cool]

I'd rather see Dwight back in Orlando than losing Tobias, Oladipo and Sabonis for Ibaka, Biyombo and SF Gordon.

Wow...

Tobias= Role Player
Oladipo= High level specialist (predicted)
Sabonis= Rookie

vs

Ikaba= Legitimate and proven elite role player and specialist
Biyombo= High level specialist (predicted)
Green= Proven vet role player


I know which one I take and which one we now and in the future, and Tobias isn't on our roster...