Latest trade rumors have emerged that the Orlando Magic could deal Serge Ibaka to the Portland Trail Blazers before the NBA's Feb. 23 trade deadline.

Ibaka, 27, was acquired by the Magic last summer via a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis. He is averaging 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game in 49 games so far this season for head coach Frank Vogel.

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According to Sporting News, Magic officials seemed to be having "buyers' remorse" over the acquisition of Ibaka as the three-time NBA All-Defensive First Teamer is said to be not living up to his expectations as a defensive player and is considering to trade him in or before the deadline.

Coach Vogel is reportedly "flashing some uncharacteristic rage" about the team not "living up to" their reputation as a good defensive team. Orlando also has Bismack Biyombo in the middle as Ibaka's frontcourt partner.

"Some ways, I don't think any of us are living up to, when you say, 'We are good defensive players,'" said Vogel. "We're not playing like good defensive players, and I'm not tying these guys together like a good defensive coach. So it's a collective failure on that end and we have to get right."

SB Nation indicated that the Blazers is one of the several suitors for Ibaka as Portland is currently looking to improve their interior defense and rebounding.

The 6-foot-10 Congolese-Spanish player would be a welcome addition to the Blazers' frontline consisting of Mason Plumlee, Al-Farouq Aminu, Meyers Leonard, and Ed Davis. New acquisition Festus Ezeli continues to be sidelined for Portland as the former Golden State Warrior is still undecided about putting himself through surgery to repair an injured knee.

However, one of the hindrances to the said deal is salary matching as the Blazers are said to be unsure who are they going to give up to get the former Real Madrid standout.

Ibaka is in the final year of his current four-year, $49.4 million deal and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2017, Serge Ibaka, orlando magic, Portland Trail Blazers