Orlando Magic: 2018 NBA Draft grades

No. 6: Mo Bamba, Texas

Having a player like Mo Bamba fall to the Magic at No. 6 is like walking into a new bar in town and finding out that it’s 2-for-1 night. It’s an unexpected but definitely welcome treat. After being fully committed to landing Trae Young by all accounts, the Magic had the rug swept from under them when the Atlanta Hawks picked Young fifth overall.

However, this did leave the door open for the Magic to pick the best available player in Bamba, who most prognosticators thought was a consensus top-five pick.

In his one year at Texas, Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.4 assists and 3.7 blocks per game, all the while shooting above 60 percent. At the NBA Draft Combine, his wingspan was measured at 7’10”, breaking the combine record previously held by Rudy Gobert. He recorded 15 double-doubles in an offense at Texas that didn’t utilize him particularly well on the offensive end.

What you are getting from Bamba is a dynamic defensive player who can rim-run and wreak havoc on opposing offenses trying to get in the lane. While his offensive game is not as polished as some of the other bigs in the top 10, he has shown an ability to stretch the floor and even knock down shots from deep.

I fully expect this facet of his game to come around the most out of the skills he already has. There have been multiple videos of him working out this offseason and him nailing jumpers like a guard would. It definitely seems like he is trying to adapt to the modern NBA and become a multi-tool player unlike, say, Clint Capela, who I think people compare Bamba to the most. His intangibles and potential are through the roof.

While the Magic needed a point guard here, picking Mo, who was easily the best player available at No. 6, was a smart choice. He has the potential to be one of the best picks of this draft class based on the skills he already possesses and what his long-term outlook could be.

Grade: A