Milwaukee Bucks Agree To Find Trade For AWOL Center

He's played in just two games since Nov. 21st, and has been away from the team for "personal reasons" for some time. Now, it appears that 14-year veteran center Serge Ibaka won't be back with the Milwaukee Bucks at all.

The Milwaukee Bucks and center Serge Ibaka have mutually agreed to find the 14-year NBA veteran a new home via trade as he remains away from the team, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 20, 2023

Per NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Bucks and Ibaka have "mutually agreed to find (him) a new home via a trade."

Ibaka's absence from the team apparently stems from his unhappiness with his role (or lack thereof, more specifically). He's played a total of just 27 minutes in the past two months, and just 16 games in all this season, averaging just 11 minutes in those contests. He’s averaging just 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per outing. 

With a big man rotation in Milwaukee of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis, there's obviously very little use for Ibaka in the rotation for coach Mike Budenholzer, so fortunately, the two sides have agreed to work together to find Ibaka a place that he can continue to ply his trade. 

Ibaka is a former World Champion (2019 Toronto Raptors) and two-time league leader in blocked shots (2012, 2013), which earned him the nickname "Iblocka". He has career marks of 12 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. 

Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports