Mo Bamba Trade Would Free Up 'Crowded' Magic Frontcourt

The NBA Trade Deadline is coming up. Could the Orlando Magic say goodbye to Mo Bamba?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 29, 2023

Mo Bamba Trade Would Free Up 'Crowded' Magic Frontcourt /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is experiencing an unfamiliar feeling this week ... a healthy roster.

After the return of Jonathan Isaac this past week, the Magic is as healthy as it has ever been, with only Chuma Okeke on the injury report as he recovers from knee surgery he had last month.

Isaac's return means playing time is scarce in the frontcourt, and players like Mo Bamba are getting the short end of the stick.

That's why Bleacher Report has listed Bamba as the player the team should dump going into the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

"Things are mostly looking up for the rebuilding Orlando Magic—who are 5-1 against the Celtics and Warriors, last year's finalists—but Mo Bamba is one of the exceptions," Bleacher Report writes. "And it isn't even his fault. His shooting rates are among the best of his career, yet he's getting nearly nine minutes less per night than he did last season. A crowded Orlando frontcourt is to blame for Bamba's shrinking role, and Jonathan Isaac's recent return from an ACL injury only created more congestion. Bamba isn't Orlando's only trade candidate (hello, Terrence Ross), but his age (24), upside and unique blend of paint protection and floor-spacing mean he might command the greatest return."

Bamba is averaging 7.2 points per game this season, but shoots 39 percent from beyond the three-point line, which is an intriguing number that should have several teams calling the Magic with an offer for his services in the final stretch towards the playoffs.

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Published Jan 29, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.