OKC Thunder: Hakeem Olajuwon wants to help out Serge Ibaka

Olajuwon originally expressed his interest in working with Ibaka to Fox Sports last month, saying the Thunder's runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year “needs it.”

Brooks on Tuesday told The Oklahoman that he loves the idea.

“I played with Hakeem for three years,” Brooks said of his stint with Olajuwon and the Rockets from 1992-95. “He's one of the best to ever play the game. Anytime you can get players that played at a high level that can share their insight, you have to take advantage of it.”

Ibaka has a small window of availability this summer. He will compete for Spain in the London Olympics, which run from July 27 through Aug. 12. It's unclear what Ibaka's plans are beyond that. Typically, many Thunder players reconvene in Oklahoma City several weeks before the start of training camp to begin voluntary workouts as a team.

Ibaka has gotten more comfortable and confident on the offensive end every year he's been in the NBA. In his third season, Ibaka averaged 9.1 points on 53.5 percent shooting as the fourth option behind Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. But Brooks said after the season that Ibaka can be even better offensively.

“He can improve a little bit more, especially with the experience he has gained,” Brooks said. “I think we see a peek of what he can become on the offensive end. I do not think he is going to be a 20-point scorer, but I think his midrange is as good as anyone on our team and we have to do a better job of finding him opportunities.”