The Los Angeles Lakers need another big man after missing out on Mark Williams over the weekend.
Now that all 30 NBA teams have entered the buyout season, the Lakers could take a chance on a 7-foot former lottery pick who hasn’t panned out in the big leagues.
“Mo Bamba is a recent former Laker and just got waived by the Jazz, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the Lakers bring him in for a second go-round,” CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn wrote Sunday. “It’s something they love doing with role players.”
Following an encouraging freshman campaign at Texas, Bamba placed his name in the 2018 NBA draft.
The Harlem, New York native was selected No. 6 overall by the Orlando Magic, making his decision to leave college early and pursue an NBA career appear wise.
While Bamba flashed potential with the Magic during his 4.5-year tenure with the organization, his inconsistent motor and inability to expand his game caused Orlando to trade him to the Lakers midway through the 2022-23 campaign.
Bamba averaged 3.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 40.7% field goal shooting and 31.3% three-point shooting in nine games with the franchise before getting waived.
The former McDonald’s All-American inked a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason, giving him another opportunity to elevate his career.
After experiencing another below-average season, Bamba became a free agent in 2024.
The 2018 Big 12 All-Newcomer team member secured a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers but was traded to the Utah Jazz on Feb. 1.
With the Jazz immediately waving Bamba, the Lakers might land the struggling center.
Bamba isn’t the most well-rounded big man asset on the buyout market.
Still, he can sometimes finish around the rim, drill perimeter jumpers, and impact games defensively, which could help a Lakers squad desperate for frontcourt depth.
Bamba could soon land on the Lakers’ radar this season.
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