NBA: Regrading every first round pick from the 2018 NBA Draft

NBA: Re-grading every first round pick from the 2018 NBA Draft

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (C) poses with NBA Draft Prospects Trae Young, Marvin Bagley III, Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

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NBA draft (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

2018 NBA draft: Re-grading Pick Number 6. Mo Bamba: C-

Mo Bamba has not quite lived up to the potential that saw him drafted this highly, but for the first time in his career, there is a reason for optimism. Drafted to a team whose best player played the same position, Bamba was slated to get short shrift in terms of minutes and development time. Furthermore, the Orlando Magic were trying to contend for the back end of the playoffs, leading to them going for more of a trusted backup in Khem Birch.

Now the reigns should be off. The Magic are no longer competing for much of anything beyond ping pong balls after shipping off Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier. It is time for the youth movement and Bamba showed down the stretch of the season that he is part of that.

Following the trade deadline, Bamba averaged 11.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game and hit 33.7 percent of his 3-point attempts in just 20.8 minutes per game. Health and consistency have held him back as much as the roster has, so next season will be crucial for the 23-year-old. To date, the pick has not paid dividends for the Magic. However, with a new coach and philosophy in tow, Bamba may just turn things around yet.

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