Orlando Magic Receive: F Gabriel Deck, G/F Josh Okogie, MIA 2023 1st Round Pick (Top-14 Protected, via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: C Mo Bamba, F Taurean Prince
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F/C Derrick Favors, G/F Kenrich Williams
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been making moves left-and-right over the last year or so to build for the future. With 35 draft picks to their name through 2028, the Thunder have plenty of ways to get the players that they want and the future is very bright for this young team.
In fact, they have already started to put things together this season, putting them way ahead of schedule. Oklahoma City is just 8-18 on the season, but they have been competitive in almost every single game this season and have shown flashes of what their young core can do together when healthy.
Addressing their need for reliable frontcourt play is a must over the next year or so and while they will almost definitely pursue a big man in the 2022 NBA Draft, going out and investing in Mo Bamba may not be a terrible idea for this franchise.
He is already a polished shot-blocker and in time, he is only going to get better on offense as a pick-and-roll threat diving to the rim. Next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort, Bamba would have numerous opportunities every single game to be on the receiving end of lobs to the rim, as well as be one of the best second-chance scorers in the league.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Here’s How Lakers Could Trade For Magic’s Mo Bamba
Currently ranking 20th in the league in rebounding this season, Mo Bamba possesses everything the Oklahoma City Thunder need in a young center. However, the Magic may not be too keen on the idea of giving him up.
Bamba has finally stepped up for the Magic and is playing great basketball paired with Wendell Carter Jr. in the Orlando Magic’s frontcourt this season. He is in the final year of his contract and will definitely receive interest from around the league, but Orlando does seem to be interested in keeping him long-term if possible.
Not trading Bamba this season and taking a risk on losing him in the offseason could be a risk the Magic are willing to take, but there is no denying that they would be receiving value in this trade. Josh Okogie is an above-average wing defender that would provide immediate depth to a team with almost zero talent on the wing.
Gabriel Deck would also provide some depth on the wing for the Magic and is a young international talent that is still developing. Along with a first-round pick in 2023, this may be enough future value for the Magic to give up Mo Bamba.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Here’s How Lakers Could Trade For Magic’s Mo Bamba
So where do the Timberwolves fit into this equation? Well, Minnesota is looking to add another big man ahead of the trade deadline this season and while guys like Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis have been brought up as potential options, Derrick Favors is a cheaper, more experienced option that could provide immediate depth next to Karl-Anthony Towns.
Now in his 12th NBA season, Favors has averaged 10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and has shot 53.4% from the floor over the course of his career. The Timberwolves could really use another strong rebounder and interior defender, which is exactly what they would get with Derrick Favors.
