Orlando Magic: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks
By Chip Murphy
8. Mo Bamba (2018)
- Pick: 6th
- Orlando seasons: 2 (2018-present)
- Orlando averages: 107 games, 15.3 minutes, 5.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 0.8 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.5 3-pointers made
- Orlando slash line: .473/.333/.624
- Picked before: Wendell Carter (7), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11)
Mo Bamba was a defensive force in his one year at Texas, second in the nation in blocks per game and seventh in defensive box plus-minus. Bamba struggled with his jumper but showed potential as he shot 68.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Bamba was drafted on potential. He wowed scouts at the NBA Draft Combine with his wingspan, and the rest is history.
It’s still way too early to make a final judgment on Bamba. He turns 22 on May 12th, and he hasn’t been granted the same opportunities as his peers. Bamba ranks 27th in total minutes among all 2018 draft picks.
Missing out on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hurts less now that Orlando has Markelle Fultz, but a Fultz-SGA backcourt would look a lot better than a Fultz-Fournier backcourt.
Wendell Carter has started all 87 of his games played. His numbers aren’t spectacular, but he’s barely 21 years old, and unlike Bamba is getting opportunities to grow.
As long as Nikola Vucevic is in Orlando, Bamba will never play more than 15 minutes per game. It will be hard for him to develop to his full potential that way.