Orlando Magic: What does Nikola Vucevic signing mean for Mo Bamba?

With the Orlando Magic re-signing Nikola Vucevic to a four-year deal, the future for Mo Bamba may wind up taking him elsewhere.

As the top five picks came off the board in the 2018 Draft, the Orlando Magic were stoked to have center Mohamed Bamba fall right into their lap.

Having dominated during his one year at the University of Texas with 12.9 points, 10.5 boards and 3.7 blocks a game, he was a tantalizing prospect with the chance to develop into a full-fledged star.

Bamba was blessed with physical traits few humans possess. Aside from a towering seven-foot frame, he carried arms that stretch out to 7’10”, a draft combine record.

Orlando may have already had a crowded frontcourt highlighted by starting center Nikola Vucevic, but Bamba’s ridiculous potential as a two-way force was too much to pass up on.

Once the selection was made, many viewed Vucevic as an expendable trade asset. After coming off another fine near double-double season, the then 27-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019.

Whether the Magic got compensation for him at the deadline or let him walk, it was assumed Bamba was the future in the middle.

Over the course of the 2018-19 regular season, things drastically changed. Vooch posted career-highs in points, rebounds and assists in leading Orlando to its first playoff appearance in seven years.

The first-time All-Star then committed to a four-year, $100 million deal per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Where that leaves Bamba moving forward is a question the Magic have to answer to best serve itself moving forward.

Bamba isn’t, nor was he ever labeled a ready-made prospect coming out of college. With such incredible gifts from the basketball gods but no real tangible skills, he’s the type who needs court time in order to grow at both ends of the floor.

He averaged 4.8 fouls per-36 minutes as a rookie, with sporadic playing time taking away whatever rhythm he may have established.

Bamba’s got the length and defensive instincts to become one of the most intimidating rim-protectors in the league, but until he’s able to adjust to the flow of NBA basketball, he’ll continue to get burned.

With his size and athleticism, Bamba makes for an ideal rim-running candidate at the offensive end, but he’s got plenty of room to grow in regards to his outside shot.

He converted on 35.4 percent on 3-pointers in conference play at Texas with a fluid release that looks better than the jumpers of a few perimeter players.

Like any player with developing range, practice jumpers can only do so much when it comes time to knock them down in real time. Take Ben Simmons for example. The footage of him before games doesn’t look too bad.

It’s his indifference towards letting it fly when it counts that has fans doubtful about his potential from beyond the arc moving forward.

A more optimistic person may suggest that after shooting 36.4 percent from downtown last season, Vucevic could slide over to the power forward spot to make room for Bamba.

Aside from the fact that Aaron Gordon plays his best at the 4 spot, the two shared 36 minutes of court time last season and posted an abysmal net rating of -53.4.

The Magic are, of course, under no obligation to do what’s best for Bamba. They can have him slowly develop behind Vooch and take the reigns when his next contract expires.

For a team looking to win now, though, wouldn’t it be best to trade a player whose high value would only decrease with each passing year coming off the bench?

The Magic find themselves in an interesting position among the NBA hierarchy. They surprised everyone this past season in winning 42 games and qualifying for the playoffs, but the ceiling of this group doesn’t appear to be much higher than that.

Such mediocrity would turn most organizations off, but Orlando operates under a different set of rules and circumstances.

This isn’t a franchise that’s been known to attract top-tier talent for most of its existence. There will never be a quick path to success. After being irrelevant for over half a decade, simply being a part of the postseason picture is enough when it’s not always guaranteed.

It’s why the front office wanted to retain Vucevic to keep that momentum going.

Bamba’s inaugural campaign was diminished by a left tibia fracture that kept him out for all but 47 games. Yet he’s still just 21 years of age with the same frame that made him so eye-opening coming out of college.

When he first arrived, the Magic may have been playing the long game in their quest back to relevancy.

Now, the two sides reside on different time lines. There’s a path to success for this unicorn-like kid, but without many opportunities moving forward, it may not come through Orlando.