JULY 7: The signing is official, according to a team press release.
JUNE 30: The Magic are set to bring back big man Mohamed Bamba on a two-year, $21MM contract, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
By opting to not tender a qualifying offer to Bamba, Orlando made him an unrestricted free agent. Haynes notes that several rival clubs were considering Bamba, who enjoyed a breakout fourth season with the Magic. He started in 69 of 71 available contests for Orlando, having previously started in six games across his first three NBA seasons.
Suiting up in a jumbo-sized frontcourt alongside fellow 2018 lottery draft pick Wendell Carter Jr., Bamba averaged career highs of 10.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.7 BPG and 1.2 APG across 25.7 MPG. He posted a tantalizing .480/.381/.781 slash line.
During the 2021/22 season, Bamba at last consistently exhibited the promise that convinced Orlando to draft him with the sixth pick out of Texas. He became one of the league’s better rim protectors and emerged as a reliable long-range option on volume (38.1% on 4.0 attempts a night).
Bamba’s future with the club may see him return to a reserve role. The Magic opted to take Duke power forward Paolo Banchero with the top pick in the 2022 draft, and will most likely start Franz Wagner, the eighth pick in 2021, at small forward. Carter was signed to a four-year, $50MM extension last summer. Though Bamba was also extension-eligible, Orlando ultimately opted to let him reach unrestricted free agency before bringing him back, so it seems likely that Carter will at least start the 2022/23 season at center. Injured power forward Jonathan Isaac, himself the sixth pick in the 2017 draft, is expected to return to the floor at some point during the 2022/23 season as well.
The 7′ big man is returning to a club that will boast a variety of solid players. After kicking off their rebuild in full with a flurry of moves at the 2021 trade deadline, Orlando also’s future already looks bright. In addition to the club’s aforementioned lottery talent in the frontcourt, the team also boasts talented young guard Cole Anthony, 2021 lottery selection Jalen Suggs, and 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz in the backcourt.
Poor decision
By both parties it seems. Orlando for re-signing him to be a back up and Bamba for passing on probable starter’s minutes elsewhere to be a guaranteed back up on one of the worst teams in the league.
You’re wrong…this was a good decision by both
People who actually watch the Magic know that with the selection of Banchero, ORL was going to need to add rim protection, 3PT shooting and situational size to the roster…all things that Bamba does.
The Magic also don’t have a reliable back up at the 4.
Jonathan Isaac hasn’t played 5vs5 in 2.5 years and is still not doing full contact. Bamba and WCJr shared the floor in over 1000 minutes, and were solid together.
In addition, WCJr has been injury prone his entire career – last year’s 62 games played was his career high.
On top of that, Bamba still has the capacity to overtake WCJr for starting C…as he is still very much in the early stages of his development.
Both sides know this.
By whom? Bamba or Magic?
Oddly enough. Both.
You’re wrong…this was a good decision by both
People who actually watch the Magic know that with the selection of Banchero, ORL was going to need to add rim protection, 3PT shooting and situational size to the roster…all things that Bamba does.
The Magic also don’t have a reliable back up at the 4.
Jonathan Isaac hasn’t played 5vs5 in 2.5 years and is still not doing full contact. Bamba and WCJr shared the floor in over 1000 minutes, and were solid together.
In addition, WCJr has been injury prone his entire career – last year’s 62 games played was his career high.
On top of that, Bamba still has the capacity to overtake WCJr for starting C…as he is still very much in the early stages of his development.
Both sides know this.
This was good for both.
I actually watch the Magic closely and know their roster situation and needs.
The rest of the people posting comments on this thread clearly don’t follow the Magic and have no idea about what they are commenting about.
Why do some people continue to comment about the Magic when it’s obvious that they obviously have not watched the Magic.
This comment has ZERO clue about the Magic and Bamba situation and why this was a very good decision for both.
They could’ve used that money on Oladipo….this FO is mind boggling
LMAO what? NO. The last thing ORL needs is another player that wants the ball in their hands.
Their need was a 3-D SG, Harris fits that role perfectly and his vet demeanor fits where the Magic are at in their rebuild.
Bamba if he was happy to earn that amount and be a back up should’ve atleast chosen a better side like Dallas. He could establish himself there and cement himself a spot there and earn a starting gig.
Magic should be looking at shooting guards first but then as a back up on this young team they could’ve done with a veteran back up big.
I was think Donte Divancenzo could’ve been an outside the box first signing for them
Nah…this was a good decision by both
People who watch the Magic know that with the selection of Banchero, ORL was going to need to add rim protection, 3PT shooting and situational size to the roster…all things that Bamba does + he has great relationship with the team and is a key ingredient to the great interpersonal chemistry this young group has.
The Magic also don’t have a reliable back up at the 4.
Jonathan Isaac hasn’t played 5vs5 in 2.5 years and is still not doing full contact. Bamba and WCJr shared the floor in over 1000 minutes, and were solid together.
In addition, WCJr has been injury prone his entire career – last year’s 62 games played was his career high.
On top of that, Bamba still has the capacity to overtake WCJr for starting C…as he is still very much in the early stages of his development.
Both sides know this.
He wanted to be a backup? Should’ve taken a gig with a contender who has a coach that would get the best out of him like Bud in Milwaukee
Magic also has their eyes on AL A BAMBA !!
Some players should not close the door so soon.
he’s not doing that
Of he stays healthy this will be a steal for the Magic. One thing is for sure, with Carter Jr., Banchero, Isaac, and Bamba the Magic have four tantalizing front court players they can mix and match.
The best last of this collection of 4s and 5s is they’re almost all interchangeable, and each of them have varying skillsets that can compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
In two years, if Orlando plays their cards correctly, they could boast one of the more complete and talent-rich young rosters in the NBA…
Those four combined with Wagner, Anthony, Suggs, Hampton, and even Bol Bol among others should Jumpstart their next contention window…
I like this deal better than the Zubac or Hartenstein deals but still like my {non elite} C’s to be cheaper if possible- Whiteside TT Cousins prolly going for min soon
Caps not a problem tho nor is 2 years ..very fluid roster building up here