Mohamed Bamba won’t play for the Magic when Summer League starts on Sunday, but he’s practicing with his teammates in Las Vegas, writes Chris Hays of The Orlando Sentinel. The third-year center got a path to regular minutes for the first time in his career when Orlando unloaded its veteran centers last spring and turned the position over to Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr.
“For me it was no-brainer,” Bamba said of his decision to come to Las Vegas. “We got a new coach, new system, new guys and I just wanted to get well acclimated way before training camp.”
Jamahl Mosley, who has taken over as head coach, said this week that it was encouraging to see Bamba join the team on his own. Bamba said he’s looking forward to playing under Mosley.
“He’s made it clear that my presence (on the floor) is needed, is wanted and it’s just all about getting out there and putting in the right amount of work,” Bamba said. “Practicing with the team only helps the chemistry of the team. Coming out here … I had a choice, either to stay in Orlando and work with the coaches that didn’t come to Summer League or come here and add in these good deposits from the team.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Free agent forward Kelly Oubre received offers from eight other teams before deciding to sign with the Hornets, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Oubre’s agent, Torrel Harris of Unique Sports International Management, says the Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, Nuggets, Nets, Trail Blazers and Cavaliers all presented offers to Oubre.
- Today marked the guarantee date for Wizards power forward Anthony Gill, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic. Gill will make $1,517,981 in 2021/22, giving Washington 13 fully guaranteed contracts. That doesn’t include center Daniel Gafford, whose $1,782,621 won’t be guaranteed until the league-wide guarantee date of January 7.
- Wizards Summer League players Cassius Winston, Issuf Sanon and Isaiah Todd have all been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington (Twitter link). Their replacements include former NBA players Cheick Diallo and Derrick Walton Jr. (Twitter link)
I felt Gafford played well in the playoffs vs sixers. With Bryant injury Wizards could keep giving him an increase role going into next season.
Gafford is actually a solid, young role player.
Wizards fans will definitely grow to like him quickly, as he is a max effort, high energy guy. Can be solid in transition, lob threat, and cleans up the boards. Needs to learn to dissect plays a little better and block shots without fouling, but he can get there with a little time..
Definitely a solid, young big I didn’t want to see leave the Bulls, but you gotta give up something to get something so it is what it is..
I thought gill was going to the pacers?
Bamba was young with loads of potential, really smart and well spoken. Coming out of college he averaged 13-10 with almost 4 blocks per game and was working on a 3 point shot.
Since being in the league he’s had injury problems and just been out of luck with the team. Hasn’t really gotten much minutes or improved that much since his rookie year. Quiet effective in small minutes but not amazing. However off the court has made good relationships with stars like LeBron, Curry etc
I think if they were to trade him there would surprisingly be a lot of team interested and they could actually get something back of value the Magic.
You forgot that he also has his own rap song named after him
For anyone interested, here are some more details of the Bamba situation that adds some more clarity:
• (18-19) Bamba was gifted consistent minutes his rookie season. He averaged 16mpg as Vucevic’s primary back-up until he started having lower leg injury issues in early January. During that time he was pretty awful…ranked 509 out of 513 NBA players in RPM. But that was expected as he came in very raw. What was unexpected was that his motor was low and he had very poor conditioning, would be winded grabbing his shorts after a couple minutes on the floor.
The Magic finally had to shut him down for the season in early February due to stress fractures on his left tibia. Unfortunately this injury also cost him his entire first NBA summer, which is a key period of development (and conditioning) for young players.
• (19-20) On top of being incapacitated his first NBA summer, Bamba was unable to fully participate in his sophomore training camp & preseason with the Magic.
He was also on minutes restrictions through the first month of the regular season. But by December, he had carved out a solid role as the primary back up center. He was playing solid, regularly flashing moments of his immense defensive potential + was much more efficient at the other end.
Then in March, a global pandemic suddenly shut down the NBA and rest of the planet.
As with many players, during the shutdown Bamba had no access to normal training or a basketball court. He only had basic weight and cardio equipment in his Orlando condo.
Over this period Bamba added 25lbs of much needed bulk.
• (The Bubble) Two weeks before the NBA regrouped to attempt to finish the 19-20 season, Bamba gets Covid.
This destroys his conditioning. After a few days in the Bubble, the Magic have to send him home out of concern.
• (20-21) Upon arrival to training camp, it’s reported that Bamba is still having lingering issues with Covid. Shortly after, he is finally cleared but the team medical staff puts limits on his activities as they were concerned with his lingering conditioning issues and the impact of his added weight to his surgically repaired leg.
Clifford eventually integrates him into the rotation, but it is clear that his conditioning is still a factor and that it was impacting his performance. Meanwhile Magic 3d string C, Khem Birch, continues his strong play – outshining Bamba.
At mid-season, the Magic decide to blow-up the roster and go into a full rebuild. Wendell Carter Jr who was acquired in the Vucevic trade, almost immediately gets the starting C role.
While Carter Jr. clearly out played him after the trade, Bamba showed a lot of improvement and began to again show flashes of his potential.
Both Bamba and WCJr are eligible for extensions this summer or if they don’t receive on they’ll be restricted free agents next summer.
Oubre has a better agent than Schroeder
so it was really only between the cavs and cha for the money.
Cavs won!
Bulls should have signed Oubre instead of deRozan for more flexibility.
Alot more flexibility and alot more volatility, and alot less predictability..
What u Can predict is Lavine going FA and if he moves Bulls have no more picks
Mamba has to show up. He’s been in the league 3yrs. Seems like more to me. Don’t get why teams draft high. Then just sit guys. Seems like such a waste. And terrible business decision. Best to play in G-league and learn your system. Best way to improve and learn for a young player. Is to play against pros. Magic have some good young talent. They should be fun to watch. Time to start growing up.
That’s not what happened…his injury and catching covid + impact of covid are key to understanding his minutes.
See my post above for details of what actually happened, not what twitter and the media (that NEVER watch Magic play) are saying.