Mo Bamba - Prediction for next season

[orthoman]

How does the Forum feel about Mo Bamba's future with the Magic?

IMO, he'd be a good backup if we can sign him on a good contract, given the uncertainty with JI.

Does his future here partially depend on who we draft?

Are other teams interested in him?

Thanks for your thoughts...

[Skybox]

I think he IS resigned to a team-friendly contract...one that is designed to be very easy to trade (in the same ballpark as WCJ, hopefully less). I don't foresee a bidding war or any large outside offers. Some will poke around and maybe discuss a sign and trade, but I don't see anyone just "stealing" him away with a stupid offer...He's definitely improved this year and, depending on team makeup and continued progress, he could be a reliable, if not major, piece of our pie...I like him as a 3rd big, first off the bench, with Isaac starting)...until something better or a trade package comes along...replacing him is not what I want to focus on this offseason, we need dynamic scoring & shooting.

[Skybox]

I think he IS resigned to a team-friendly contract...one that is designed to be very easy to trade (in the same ballpark as WCJ, hopefully less). I don't foresee a bidding war or any large outside offers. Some will poke around and maybe discuss a sign and trade, but I don't see anyone just "stealing" him away with a stupid offer...He's definitely improved this year and, depending on team makeup and continued progress, he could be a reliable, if not major, piece of our pie...I like him as a 3rd big, first off the bench, with Isaac starting)...until something better or a trade package comes along...replacing him is not what I want to focus on this offseason, we need dynamic scoring & shooting.

I would add that Bol Bol's name on our roster is irrelevant to Bamba, I don't see Bol ever getting a jersey after summer league.

[MoMM]

SnT, he won't play for us next season.

[Knightro]

I think it's going to depend on how the draft shakes out and what the plan is for Isaac moving forward.

if the Magic draft a C or a PF that slides Carter to full time center, or if they feel Isaac's going to be more of a big and less of a wing moving forward (or both), then I think they'll let Bamba walk.

Right or wrong, I do think they are looking at the summer of 2023 and their opportunity to make moves from a free agency/trades perspective. I doubt they are falling over themselves to give Bamba a multi-year deal unless it's for a very inexpensive price.

[anothermagicfan]

He's been pretty consistent since the all star break. 37.5% all year on 3s. 43% since all star break. He's no where near a max deal or anything but he's going to get a decent contract off his ability to pull center's away from the paint. His individual defense isn't what it should be for a guy hus size, whoever he does get some blocks and he does alter shots.

Hopefully this isn't the same old playing for a contract stats push then go back to sucking before the ink dries

[Ralof]

Goodbye, and best of luck to you in the future

[penny_nz]

I want more people with the drive and attitude of Franz, WCJ, Suggs, hell even Moe Wagner and RoLo. Bamba just doesn't have the consistent motor or drive for me. There have been games this season we've been decimated with injuries, NEED someone to step up and he's still been so passive.

To me he's a bench C, and if he's willing to play that role with a suitable contract would love to have him here. If not, do NOT overpay to stop him from moving on.

[cedric76]

when you draft a thin raw center than is at least a 5 yr project, you don't give up on him after 3 yrs

Offer him or match any fair deal and be happy

[JF5]

His career path is a 3/D role player who plays 10-15 minutes max on a winning team. On the team like the Magic who have a bunch of young/energetic/high IQ he doesn't fit the makeup of the team. He needs to go to a team like the Clippers or Nets next season where he can potentially grow more as a player.

His time here has run his course and needs to be surrounded by vets who can help light a fire under his ass.

[RichCollab]

when you draft a thin raw center than is at least a 5 yr project, you don't give up on him after 3 yrs

Offer him or match any fair deal and be happy

5 year project???

[JTG_92940618]

I think we let him go. The signs were there that we were trying to trade him at the deadline but there were clearly no takers.

Now it depends on who we draft and what we expect out of JI. As a fan, it would've been nice to see JI a bit so I could determine what to expect from him.

Still, I think we can find someone to fill Bamba's position for less. I would like to take a look at Isaiah Hartenstein, for example.

[fendilim]

Gone. We already have Bolbol

[cedric76]

when you draft a thin raw center than is at least a 5 yr project, you don't give up on him after 3 yrs

Offer him or match any fair deal and be happy

5 year project???

This is what people were expecting when we draft him, young raw bigs take longer to develop and we knew it, but apparently realgm nba2k fan didn't read the memo

[zaymon]

I think we let him go. The signs were there that we were trying to trade him at the deadline but there were clearly no takers.

Now it depends on who we draft and what we expect out of JI. As a fan, it would've been nice to see JI a bit so I could determine what to expect from him.

Still, I think we can find someone to fill Bamba's position for less. I would like to take a look at Isaiah Hartenstein, for example.

Couldnt agree more. Bamba shouldnt be our priority even as a potential reserve. Maybe if we strike out in free agency he will be our last option.

[Xatticus]

when you draft a thin raw center than is at least a 5 yr project, you don't give up on him after 3 yrs

Offer him or match any fair deal and be happy

5 year project???

This is what people were expecting when we draft him, young raw bigs take longer to develop and we knew it, but apparently realgm nba2k fan didn't read the memo

We wasted the better part of his first three years in the league as development is concerned because Clifford simply didn't like him. He improved a lot over the course of the season in his first year under Mosley and there is still a lot of potential room for improvement. It's a bit of an awkward situation at this point though. We already have WCJ locked in and there is the potential to add Holmgren in the draft. Every team in the league is looking for bigs that can provide rim protection and floor spacing and Bamba is one of the few in the league that has the talent to be above average at both, so there is the possibility that we simply get priced out by a team that bets on his development. I certainly wouldn't make the decision until we know his market and I wouldn't force him off of the roster. We don't have enough talent on this roster to force him off of it based on that.

[MoMM]

5 year project???

This is what people were expecting when we draft him, young raw bigs take longer to develop and we knew it, but apparently realgm nba2k fan didn't read the memo

We wasted the better part of his first three years in the league as development is concerned because Clifford simply didn't like him. He improved a lot over the course of the season in his first year under Mosley and there is still a lot of potential room for improvement. It's a bit of an awkward situation at this point though. We already have WCJ locked in and there is the potential to add Holmgren in the draft. Every team in the league is looking for bigs that can provide rim protection and floor spacing and Bamba is one of the few in the league that has the talent to be above average at both, so there is the possibility that we simply get priced out by a team that bets on his development. I certainly wouldn't make the decision until we know his market and I wouldn't force him off of the roster. We don't have enough talent on this roster to force him off of it based on that.

No motor, you can't teach that, especially after he gets his new contract.

BTW, drafting a 5-year project is totally no sense. You will pay him during his whole rookie contract to improve and then you have to make a decision based on some guess/evaluation if he is going to continue growing as a player or not.

[tiderulz]

when you draft a thin raw center than is at least a 5 yr project, you don't give up on him after 3 yrs

Offer him or match any fair deal and be happy

5 year project???

This is what people were expecting when we draft him, young raw bigs take longer to develop and we knew it, but apparently realgm nba2k fan didn't read the memo

people want to say that. but i dont think they come in quite as raw today as they used to. and dont take 4 years to show anything

[orlando_joe]

first yr starting and top 5 for 3pt% for c and tied for top 5 in blocks as 23 yr old..if deal is there can magic really just let him walk?
but yes his motor is scary some nights

[tiderulz]

first yr starting and top 5 for 3pt% for c and tied for top 5 in blocks as 23 yr old..if deal is there can magic really just let him walk?
but yes his motor is scary some nights

his motor/BBIQ is scary most nights