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NBA Free Agency: Why the Orlando Magic re-signed Mo Bamba

By Luke Duffy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 09: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 09: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NBA Free Agency, Orlando Magic, Mo Bamba
PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 08: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 08, 2022 in Portland, Oregon, NBA Free Agency: Why the Orlando Magic re-signed Mo Bamba. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

NBA Free Agency: Why the Orlando Magic re-signed Mo Bamba: Extra asset

The specifics of this have not yet been released, but two years at not a lot of money with not even all of it guaranteed is about as team-friendly as it gets. Looking beyond this coming season, it is clear Bamba could be used next year as an expiring contract in any potential trades that the Magic get involved in.

If recent first overall pick Paolo Banchero is that good, they might decide to accelerate their rebuild. Having guys like Bamba that they can move and who other teams will gladly take for half a season is exactly why you keep him around. Every roster has to spend a certain amount of money and trades require salaries matching up, and Bamba can help there.

That is also a truly terrible way to approach the career of a professional athlete, but it is not all doom and gloom for Bamba here. With the emergence of Carter Jr., the Magic have clearly reshuffled their center options. Bamba knows he is no longer a lottery pick in the ascendency, and instead a young player fighting for his NBA life. The contracts given to Bamba and Carter Jr. show this.

At only 24, there is still a chance that Bamba can get even a little bit better. Last year was his best as a pro, and while it didn’t take much to get to that point, it is still worth highlighting. On his best day and when he looks engaged (which again, is not a daily occurrence…), Bamba can defend the paint with his long frame and knock down shots from deep.

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