Since being drafted sixth overall back in 2018, Mo Bamba hasn’t gotten much opportunity in the NBA. After spending the first four years of his career with the Orlando Magic, the seven-footer was dealt to the LA Lakers at the trade deadline.
Even with a change of scenery, Bamba didn’t see much time on the floor. He appeared in only nine games for the Lakers and averaged less than 10 minutes per game. Since it’s clear LA doesn’t see much in him, one trade scenario this summer involved sending him to the Dallas Mavericks.
In this mock trade, the Mavericks receive Bamba in exchange for Reggie Bullock and a second-round pick. The 32-year-old is coming off a season where he averaged his lowest PPG since 2017 (7.2).
With minimal assets at their disposal, Dallas has to gamble on some players in hopes of upgrading the roster. They attempted to solidify their backcourt last summer, but Christian Wood and JaVale McGee didn’t pan out as they hoped.
For the Mavericks, Bamba has the chance to be a low-risk/high-reward type of player. When given extended minutes, he’s shown good flashes on both ends.
When Bamba was drafted, his ability to defend the rim was one of the key areas that stood out. This is something the Mavericks have desperately been looking for. Also, the 25-year-old is capable of spacing the floor at the center position.
If Dallas is able to retain Kyrie Irving, they’ll need players around them who can open up the floor. Bamba can be a pick-and-roll partner with either guard and could even flare out for three-point attempts. Playing alongside a playmaker like Luka Doncic should make life very easy for him offensively.
Despite being around for some time now, Bamba is still a young prospect. Landing somewhere with an extended opportunity on the floor could help un-tap him and allow him to reach his potential.
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