While it seems like the Western Conference in the NBA keeps getting tougher, one Eastern Conference team decided to keep its best players for a couple of more years. After Jimmy Butler and Paul George changed teams and went from the Eastern to the Western Conference, the fans around the NBA started to wonder how good will the East be next season. Well, one thing is for sure - the Toronto Raptors will stay relevant next season. Just a couple of days ago it was announced that Kyle Lowry and the Raptors agreed to a contract extension, and it seems like Serge Ibaka is staying too.

Serge in Toronto for three more years

Ibaka spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His best year was during the 2013/2014 campaign when he averaged 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. After the 2015/2016 season ended, Ibaka was traded to the Orlando Magic and midway through the last season, he was moved to the Toronto Raptors.

Ibaka played 23 regular-season games for the Raptors last season and averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He showed he's a reliable three-point shooter as well as he connected on nearly 40% of his three-pointers. Ibaka was a free-agent this summer as his contract expired, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Raptors and Ibaka have agreed to a three-year, $65 million contract.

This means that the Raptors' core group of DeRozan, Lowry, and Ibaka will be together for at least two more years. Toronto was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season as they got swept by the Cavaliers, and Ibaka's return will give the Raptors a better chance next season as they look to dethrone the Cavaliers.

Collison headed to Indiana

After trading away Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it appears that the Indiana Pacers are in a full rebuilding mode.

They acquired Victory Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in the Paul George trade, and it is rumored the team will likely part ways with Monta Ellis as well.

As they look to move on after the departure of Paul George, it was reported on Tuesday that the Pacers signed Darren Collison. Collison was a free-agent this summer and reportedly the Pacers signed him to a 2-year $20 million deal.

ESPN reports that the second year of this deal will be partially guaranteed. Collison played for the Sacramento Kings last season and he averaged 13.2 points and 4.6 assists per game.
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