The Copa del Rey tournament in Gran Canaria may have marked a significant turning point for Real Madrid, particularly concerning two players: Dennis Smith Jr. and Serge Ibaka. Head coach Chus Mateo left Dennis Smith Jr. out of the squad for all three games, further fueling doubts about the player's future with the team. It now seems increasingly likely that he will depart soon.

Meanwhile, according to Mundo Deportivo, Serge Ibaka has also reportedly requested to leave Real Madrid due to dissatisfaction with his role. The Congolese center saw limited minutes during the Copa del Rey, not reaching 20 minutes on the court in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, or final. His frustration with his diminished playing time has led him to seek an early exit, which the club reportedly does not oppose due to their own dissatisfaction with his performance.

Ibaka, one of Real Madrid's main signings for the 2024-25 season, has struggled to find his place in Mateo's rotation, averaging 12:49 minutes per game in the Endesa League (5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 6.6 PIR) and 12:48 minutes in the Euroleague (6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.5 PIR). His departure would likely be beneficial for both parties, as his role is unlikely to improve with players like Bruno Fernando moving ahead in the rotation, Garuba set for more minutes, and Deck's return approaching.

This development suggests that Real Madrid may need to reconsider its roster strategy as the season progresses.

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