The Orlando Magic have their eyes set over the upcoming NBA Draft as they look to strengthen their squad. However, everything this offseason is centered on who the team will select with the first overall pick. It’s a crucial component for the franchise and the team’s future development. And there are discussions about who the Magic will select in a draught that is rife with uncertainty at the top.
Orlando will go on to the next step as soon as the draft is finished. For the Magic, free agency will be equally as important in establishing and nurturing their future. And the team must make numerous decisions. The Magic’s biggest free agency question isn’t how they’ll spend their roughly $30 million in cap space. It’s what the team plans to do with Mo Bamba, a restricted free agent.
The Orlando Magic must choose between filling out their roster and continuing to invest in Mo Bamba, a former high lottery pick. Bamba is an intriguing player with a distinct set of abilities. He showed enough this season to convince him that more investment is necessary. All of the issues that led to his hazardous predicament are also present.
Bamba’s career season
Bamba impressed enough in his starting job last season that some teams may be prepared to invest in him as their starting center in the future. He’s obviously young and skilled enough as a shooter to get that kind of attention.
On the other hand, there isn’t much consistency there either. He’s a superb shot blocker, but he’s not a particularly good defender (the Magic had a 111.3 defensive rating with Bamba on the floor and 110.7 defensive rating with him off the floor). And, while he is a decent 3-point shooter for a player of his size, his offensive game is limited.
What other Options Magic have?
Even though they have matching rights, the Orlando Magic would like to avoid any potential humiliation or risk of his being outpriced on the open market if they want to keep him.
Then there’s the question of who the Magic target is. Orlando’s most pressing need right now is a backup center to play with Wendell Carter. And, given Carter’s injury history — the 62 games he played last season were the most he has ever played in his career — the Magic will almost certainly need to invest in a starting center.
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