We didn’t know if the idyll between Mo Bamba and Orlando was going to end this summer, but recently, we are getting closer to it. The Magic did not offer to qualifying offer to his player. Position 5 will therefore be a restricted free agent from this Thursday evening, midnight, with no suitors knocking on his door.
The Magic has a lot of room for maneuver on this Free Agency 2022, with a nice cap space to extend or sign da beautiful world. But part of the 27 million dollars available – and usable from midnight – will surely not be used to offer an extension to Mo Bamba. Indeed, the franchises had the right until June 29, that is to say Wednesday, to propose a first offer to their restricted free agents, also called « qualifying offer » for guys who are B1 in English. But the Magic decided not to make an offer to their young pivot, in other words not to “lock” his extension and tell him one way or another thatOrlando doesn’t want him anymore. Well yes, in Florida, we are rather disappointed with the gap between its current status – that of an average interior – and initial expectations.. However, he is coming out of his best scoring season with 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds on average in 25.7 minutes of play and 71 games. The Magic, with the extension of Wendell Carter Jr. and the selection of Paolo Banchero, would have decided to relaunch with a 100% Duke racket. The former position 5 of Texas, him, should therefore leave Florida with as only prize list, his blaze in a chorus of Sheck Wes.
Mo Bamba whose Magic did not wish to semi-lock with a qualifying offer, suddenly the pivot will be an unrestricted free agent this Thursday evening.
Lots of teams on him. https://t.co/VNoLXPteX4
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 30, 2022
Even though his four seasons at the Magic were disappointing, according to Florida franchise executives, franchises are still on deck to get the Mo back. According The Athleticsigning Mr. Bamba would be one of the Rockets’ priorities on this Free Agency. With the departure of Christian Wood for Dallas, the racket is still a little empty in Houston, so why not slam some cute for a young post 5 with potential, and above all a profile that aligns very well with Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.? The Magic refused to make a qualifying offer around ten million dollars a year, and Houston could put this price in order to recover Mo Bamba on a long-term deal. Chicago would also be on the record. The Bulls are looking to strengthen their bench, at a similar price but on a short-term agreement. The Mavs and Raptors are second in line. But beware: if the Magic cannot recover Isaiah Hartenstein to replace him as planned, Orlando still has the right to match the offers made to his young pivot. There is still a possibility for the Magic to extend Jonathan Mo Bamba, but if the franchise has not posed the monies the day before. It would be surprising huh, but good.
The expectations around Mo Bamba have not borne fruit but this Free Agency is, for the 24-year-old insider, a fabulous opportunity to bounce back. Beginning of response this evening, from midnight, with all the projectors pointed at Mo (not at all).
Source texte : The Athletic, NBC Sports