He was very courted and many teams made eyes at him, but in the end Mo Bamba chose to stay at the Magic despite his unrestricted free agent status. It’s party time in Orlando and we’ll be able to continue to come up against the sound of Sheck Wes, the rapper’s childhood friend and author of the millennium hit.
The Bulls, Rockets, Raptors or even the Lakers wanted him to finally really get his career off the ground, but Mo Bamba decided to stay in the franchise that drafted him. Even if at present it is Wendell Carter Jr. who occupies the coveted position of holder, the former of the University of Texas wants to continue fighting to obtain his Holy Grail. To fulfill his mission, the pivot of Ivorian origin will receive an amount similar to that of the qualifying offer, to which he was eligible. 2 years and 21 million dollars, such is the contract initialed by the native of New York, barely lower than that of WCJ (50 million over 4 years). We will therefore continue to drive youth in Orlando, with a workforce whose average age is around 14 years old.
Free agent center Mo Bamba has reached an agreement with the Orlando Magic on a two-year, $21 million deal, his agents Mark Bartelstein and Greer Love of @PrioritySports tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/Vs09sDBcOl
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2022
In this young squad, the center with the longest wingspan in the league perhaps feels that something special can happen. With Mo Bamba therefore, but also Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Chuma Okeke, RJ Hampton, his competitor Wendell Carter Jr. and the latest arrival Paolo Banchero, first choice of the 2022 Draft (who has recovered the number 5 that Bamba wore until then), the Magic has perhaps the most intriguing youth in the NBA and has plenty to fight for in the years to come. Empowered after the departure of Nikola Vucevic, Bamba dropped out last season 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per gamebut beyond the statistics, his impact has also increased and the beginnings of his potential as immense as his arms are finally starting to point the tip of their noses after an incubator debut.
After four timid seasons in the league, Mo Bamba finally seems to be progressing and asserting himself. The front office of the Magic was not mistaken in offering him this new contract, long enough to take advantage of his progress and short enough to turn around in the event of a flop. Announcing his new jersey number, 11, like the one he wore in high school, could potentially represent a clue, which ultimately turned out to be prescient.