Last season after the Raptors traded for Marc Gasol, there was a bit of back-and-forth regarding the status of Serge Ibaka. As you’ll recall, Toronto really did try starting both of them in different games for about a month. And then Ibaka hauled off on Marquese Chriss, got suspended for three games, and didn’t start another game for Toronto as they marched their way to the 2019 NBA Championship.
At the time this all made sense. Ibaka, characterized as a proud veteran, took his new role with the comfort of knowing he was doing what was best for a team with legit title aspirations.