Mo Bamba – Orlando Magic

For years, the Magic have been looking to incorporate Mo Bamba into their rotations, but they have not had the right opportunity to do so because of injuries and because the young center came down with COVID-19 last season, limiting his on-court availability. 

Now in his fourth season in the league and the final year of his rookie deal, Mo Bamba was finally given a chance to be a part of the Magic’s starting rotation and he has not disappointed. 

In 58 games this season, 56 in which he has started, Bamba has averaged 10.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and has shot 47.8% from the floor, 35.9% from three-point range.

Having great chemistry with fellow big man Wendell Carter Jr. in the Magic’s frontcourt, Mo Bamba has seemed to cement his spot in this starting rotation for Orlando and deserves a big raise given his contributions this year. 

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Over his last seven games, Bamba is averaging 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and recently recorded 27 points and 12 rebounds against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves. Earlier this season, the 23-year-old center recorded a career-high 32 points on 7-8 shooting from three-point range against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, showing his versatility as a stretch big man in this league. 

Mo Bamba is not the best rebounding big in the league and he is not the best finisher in the paint offensively, but his ability to knock down multiple three-pointers a game, as well as be an avid rim-protected, makes Bamba a very intriguing center on the free agent market. 

Being just 23-years-old and possessing a 7’10” wingspan, Mo Bamba checks off all the boxes to be a two-way factor in this league for a long-time and his play over the course of the 2021-22 season just proves this. 

The Magic are expected to re-sign the restricted free agent as of right now, but Bamba could very well see plenty of suitors once free agency begins.