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NBA free agency: Clippers reach deal with Serge Ibaka after losing Montrezl Harrell

The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly found their Montrezl Harrell replacement.

Free agent big man Serge Ibaka agreed to a deal with the Clippers on Saturday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The deal is a mid-level exception pact for two years and $19 million, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The second year of the deal will reportedly be a player option.

Clippers reunite Serge Ibaka and Kawhi Leonard

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19:  Kawhi Leonard #2 and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors react late in the second half of an NBA game against the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena on October 19, 2018 in Toronto, Canada.  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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
The Clippers found a strong replacement for Serge Ibaka. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

In Ibaka, the Clippers are getting a big man who can give them minutes at the 4 and 5 off the bench while offering strong defense and 3-point shooting. Ibaka averaged 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season with the Raptors, shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point range.

That’s just what the team needed after losing both Harrell and JaMychal Green in free agency, the former to their crosstown rival Los Angeles Lakers and latter to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

The Clippers managed to retain starting power forward Marcus Morris on a four-year, $64 million deal, but they had been left with a gaping lack of depth behind him and starting center Ivica Zubac.

Both the Raptors and Brooklyn Nets had reportedly been in pursuit of Ibaka, but the 31-year-old will instead reuinte with Kawhi Leonard, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2019. The Clippers could likely benefit from adding another big man, but Ibaka is a strong start.

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