The Toronto Raptors have added a big man to their roster. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Mo Bamba has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the team.
“Bamba has averaged 16.5 points and 12 rebounds with the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars team and now brings much-needed size to the Raptors’ frontcourt in his eighth NBA season,” Charania wrote.
This will be Bamba’s sixth team that he’s played for throughout his career. The Raptors are currently one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and Bamba will look to add value and depth to the roster.
With Jakob Poeltl out due to injury, Bamba could see more of an increased role on the team and see a lot of minutes on the court as well.
A Look at Mo Bamba’s NBA Career
Bamba started his career with the Orlando Magic and spent five seasons with the team. As a rookie, he appeared in 47 games and averaged 6.2 points, five rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.
In his fourth year with Orlando, he saw a significant increase in playing time. He appeared in 71 games and made 69 starts. Bamba averaged a career-high in points (10.5) and rebounds per game (8.1).
After his time in Orlando, Bamba played with the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelpia 76ers, LA Clippers, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Now that he has found a home with the Raptors, he will look to prove his value out there on the court.
Jeremy Brener, of SI.com, said that the Raptors made a good move in signing Bamba. “At this point in the regular season, the Raptors would either have to make a trade for a centre or sign a veteran on the open market,” Brener wrote. “The Raptors could make a trade down the line, but teams are still hesitant to make moves at this point in the season. Plus, the Raptors aren’t in a position to be giving up anybody right now.”
“Adding Bamba, someone who has seven years of NBA experience, gives the team a veteran to rely on as the team tries to get through the middle portion of the season.”
Mamba has not appeared in an NBA game yet this season, so he will have the opportunity to make his season debut with the Raptors.
Mo Bamba Was a Lottery Pick in the 2018 Draft
GettyMo Bamba was the sixth overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2018 draft.
Bamba was a top player coming out of college. During his freshman year at Texas, he was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive and All-Newcomer Team. He was also named to the Second-team All-Big 12 Team.
As a member of the Longhorns, Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. He established himself as one of the premier big men coming out of college and entering the draft.
In a draft that featured Luka Doncic, Trae Young, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bamba was selected sixth overall by the Magic. That draft class already features an MVP and numerous All-Stars. The Magic were high on Bamba and there was a reason they selected him with their first pick.
Even though things didn’t pan out long term with the Magic, Bamba still has had many opportunities in the league and he’ll get another shot with the Raptors.
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