Orlando center Mo Bamba enters unrestricted free agency starting late Thursday. The No. 6 overall pick from the 2018 NBA draft never quite found his footing with the Magic, despite having the opportunity to start 69 games while averaging 25.7 minutes per game last season.
Bamba averaged 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds with a 38.1% from the 3-point arc, impressive for a big man, during his first season as a full-time starter. His defensive prowess also showed with 1.7 blocks per game while making life difficult in the paint for opponents. Now, the market seems primed to give him the potential opportunity for an expanded role.
The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and the Toronto Raptors are noted to be interested amongst multiple teams going into Thursday. Another interested party? The Houston Rockets.
Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the Rockets may be interested in bringing the University of Texas product back to the Lone Star State.
Despite their commitment this offseason to establishing second-year center Alperen Sengun as the starter, having shipped incumcent Christian Wood off to the Dallas Mavericks in the process, the Rockets have been linked to multiple centers in the upcoming free agency period.
At a glance, signing Bamba could be excellent value. He would bring a 3-point shooting and defensive presence that other big men on the roster currently can’t offer. It’s also possible that, in a new situation with new coaching, Bamba could benefit from a change of scenery.
This new skillset could open up opportunities for head coach Stephen Silas to employ diverse lineups featuring Bamba outside the 3-point arc as a floor-spacing shooter — while also clogging the lane, as needed.
However, digging into the nuances of Houston’s backup center role, this proposition becomes a bit more interesting on every level. The first question goes towards the team’s interest, itself. Is it warranted?
Last season, the Rockets drafted Usman Garuba at No. 23 overall in the 2021 NBA draft. The selection was made around the premise that Garuba could become a defensive showstopper. His strong athleticism and a somewhat limited offensive game have led many to project him as a Robert Williams-esque center. Signing anyone in free agency would almost certainly deter the development of Garuba and make it more difficult for Houston to develop a project they were once quite keen on.
Even if Houston still wants more option beyond Sengun and Garuba, another question…
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