NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic to shop Mo Bamba this offseason?

NBA Trade Rumors: After winning the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, the Orlando Magic are expected to shop Mo Bamba this offseason. 

The Orlando Magic were awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and will have plenty of options next month. However, most NBA Draft experts would suggest that there’s one player that is head and shoulders above the rest of the class.

And that’s Chet Holmgren, who is a 7-foot sensation. Holmgren is a prospect that the NBA hasn’t really seen before and he could do a bit of everything – from defending the rim to stretching the defense to the 3-point line.

The big problem with that, however, is the fact that a decision needs to be made on Mo Bamba – one of the team’s young bigs.

Bamba is a restricted free agent this offseason and there’s a very real chance that the Magic elect to move on from him. With the expectation that Orlando will select Chet Holmgren with the No. 1 overall pick, Bamba could be an odd man out.

Under the assumption that Holmgren would be given the keys to the franchise, Bamba would probably be best off in a different situation. And the Magic could agree with that. Especially considering that they’ll have to extend his contract this offseason (unless he’s willing to play for the qualifying offer).

"[via Bleacher Report]The idea of incorporating Smith or Holmgren into Orlando’s rebuild has sparked an expectation among league personnel that Bamba, a restricted free agent this summer, is likely to depart the franchise, especially after being considered a trade candidate prior to February’s trade deadline."

At 24 years old, Bamba is coming off the best statistical season of his career thus far – he averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from 3-point range.

I’m not entirely sure if Bamba is a starting center in today’s NBA, but there’s no question that there would be a market for him. And the Magic could cash in on it if they choose to.

Orlando has the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. This is a golden opportunity that the franchise can’t afford to fumble away.