5. Mo Bamba
It took until his fourth season in the league, but Mo Bomba finally showed what made him such a highly sought-after prospect when he entered the draft in 2018. The Orlando Magic picked him sixth overall and the soon-to-be 24-year-old put it all together this season.
Bamba is the first player in Magic history to average more than 1.5 blocks and 1.5 3-pointers per game, showcasing his unique skill set. He knocked down 38.1 percent of his 3-pointers, becoming a viable floor-stretching big man.
That sounds like a player that Orlando would like to keep around, but they committed four years and $50 million to Wendell Carter Jr. ahead of the rookie extension deadline in October. With Mo Wagner also under contract for next season, they may not want to shell out more money for another big man.
This is a situation that the Charlotte Hornets should be looking to take advantage of. Bamba’s skill set would play well in Charlotte, as his floor-spacing would be ideal for the offense. But, it would be his defense that they covet the most.
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His rim protection is exactly what the Hornets need in the middle of their lineup. But, as a restricted free agent, there are some complications. The Magic can match any offer sheet that Bamba signs, so the Hornets would be left in limbo for a few days waiting on a response. That could cause them to miss out on other free agent targets and be left out in the cold if Orlando ended up matching.
