Magic PG Cole Anthony 'Sad to See' Mo Bamba Trade to Lakers
ORLANDO - The Mo Bamba era is officially over.
Just less than 24 hours ago, the Orlando Magic agreed to trade its No. 6 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft to the Los Angeles Lakers for Patrick Beverley, a future second-round pick and cash considerations.
Bamba released a statement as a picture of a written 'Thank You' card on social media.
For a team as tight as the Magic, trade deadline day was always going to be a tough one for them.
Cole Anthony was given the opportunity to talk to the media about his relationship with Bamba, which dates back to their high school days growing up in New York City.
"I'mma miss him," Cole Anthony said. "He was really like a big brother to me, kinda like a mentor to me too... It's sad to see him go, but he's going to do good things over there."
Bamba was the Magic's second-longest tenured player on the team after Terrence Ross, who joined the team six years ago in a trade for Serge Ibaka.
The Magic held on to Bamba for longer than it needed to. After his first three seasons in the league, Bamba struggled to live up to his lottery pick status. But when the team fired coach Steve Clifford and hired Jamahl Mosley, Bamba saw a resurgence in his career. Last season, Bamba averaged career highs in every major category and it parlayed into a two-year deal with $20.6 million.
"Obviously having Mo Bamba with us was fantastic," coach Jamahl Mosley said. "I think having Mo with us for that time was great."
Mosley's guidance in helping Bamba rejuvenate his career is a big reason why he had trade value. While Patrick Beverley isn't likely to report to the Magic, Orlando was able to turn an asset it was ready to part ways with two years ago into a player worth something.
His presence in the locker room, however, was more valuable than what he brought to the court, and that is going to cost the Magic something. But it's a stark reminder that even the closest teams in the NBA aren't immune to the brutal parts of the business.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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