Mo Bamba is entering free agency for the first time in his career and will likely leave the Orlando Magic. The Magic didn't give Bamba a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent, and they reportedly have interest in Isaiah Hartenstein to potentially take his spot.
Bamba would have a better opportunity to thrive with a new team. The 24-year-old has shown promise of being a solid role player at center in his career thus far. This past season, Bamba averaged 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from 3-point range.
In his 25.7 minutes per game, he blocked 1.7 shots per game, proving his impact on both ways of the floor.
With that said, here are the three best destinations for Mo Bamba in 2022 NBA free agency.
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Mo Bamba Free Agency Destinations
The Toronto Raptors have a solid core built around versatile two-way wings. They also have an All-Star guard in Fred VanVleet running the point guard position. However, the Raptors have a weakness at their center position, with no consistent production.
Signing a young center in Mo Bamba, who still has potential, could be an ideal situation. Bamba can protect the rim and space the floor on offense. While he has not lived up to the hype received coming into the draft, Bamba has been a productive role player.
If Toronto can snag him in free agency, he could grow with the rest of their core.
2. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are another team that could be looking to add center play. It is reported that Mo Bamba would look to head to Chicago, and he could be an excellent fit there. Nikola Vucevic occupied the starting center spot for them this past season, and he went through ups and downs. The former All-Star big man was inconsistent offensively to start the year and doesn't provide much on the defensive end.
Vucevic has been in trade rumors and could be moved, leaving the center spot open. Even if Vucevic is not moved, Bamba would be a great big to have off the bench.
Going younger with a guy like Bamba could be what the Bulls need to improve. The Bulls' top offseason priority is bringing back star guard Zach LaVine, but adding depth will be necessary. Chicago doesn't have enough star power to take down the top teams in the East. However, if they make a better well-rounded roster, they could make a run at teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.
The Bulls should be active in the mix for Bamba.
While the Lakers are linked to free agents all the time, a move for Mo Bamba makes sense. Bamba is a young player that hasn't lived up to his full potential. Malik Monk went through the same thing last season and signed with Los Angeles on a minimum contract.
Monk went on to have a breakout campaign and is expected to be pursued by multiple teams and get a nice payday. Bamba also fits what the Lakers need: young players. LA struggled with a veteran roster last season, missing out on the playoffs and the play-in tournament.
Bamba would also allow Anthony Davis to play power forward, which he prefers to do. Since Bamba can stretch the floor, it takes the pressure off Davis to be a shooter in new head coach Darvin Ham's four-out, one-in system.
If Bamba signs a short-term deal in LA, he can up his value and reenter free agency in hopes of getting a better contract.
Bamba has an important decision to make as he enters free agency for the first time. The Raptors, Bulls, and Lakers would all be solid destinations for Bamba to land.
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