Newly-signed Magic guard Frank Mason III should be able to provide some offensive firepower to an injury-depleted Orlando squad, according to Josh Cohen of Magic.com.
As a two-way player during the 2019/20 season, Mason played 23 games for the Bucks’ NBAGL affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. The 5’11” University of Kansas alum was the leading scorer in the G League last year, averaging 26.4 PPG. Cohen anticipates Mason’s biggest scoring contribution to the Magic will be via pull-up jumpers off of pick-and-rolls.
There’s more out of the Sunshine State:
- Magic head coach Steve Clifford has indicated that center Mohamed Bamba has been feeling a minutes squeeze as a result of Orlando’s significant depth at his position, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “As I explained to him, the reality is this: Our best position by far is the five spot,” Clifford said. “[Nikola Vucevic] is playing at an All-Star level. Khem Birch is not just good now; Khem Birch is having a terrific year. So a lot of it is that. (Bamba) is playing behind two guys who (are excelling).”
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald considers whether the Heat, losers of seven of their last eight games, should pursue an upgrade at the power forward position, and which players could be available. Miami, who made an exciting Finals run in 2020, are currently the No. 13 seed with an 8-13 record. All-Star Jimmy Butler was absent for 10 of those games, however, wherein the club went 2-8. Veteran Spurs forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay, Rockets forward P.J. Tucker, and 2017 draftees John Collins and Lauri Markkanen all merit mention.
- In a 123-108 loss to the Raptors Tuesday, rookie Magic forward Chuma Okeke displayed his scoring prowess, according to Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel. The game marked Okeke’s first action since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee on December 31, which kept him out of commission for 16 games. “It feels really good because coming back after being away so long you don’t know how you’re going to play,” Okeke said.
They need to trade Bamba. Atleast somewhere that will play him in nearly every game. Even for 10 minutes would be huge for him. Needs to develop his defensive I.Q.
yea ikr they should trade him to the raps they need a reliable big who could stuff the boards and space the floor. idk bout his defense but playing him is beter than playing a one hit wonder in baynes.
GSW has no centers right now, what would it take to get Bamba?
if i were the raps i will defintely trade johnson and baynes for okeke and bamba cuz johnson still needs to improve his offensive IQ and shoot more consistently while baynes needs to work on his inside game and floor spacing and ofc his pick and roll. bamba is a good offensive force while okeke is a better shooter and defender
I don’t think the Magic would do that… a more realistic trade would be to trade Jalen Harris and a lottery protected pick this year
harris a second rounder whos on a two way deal and the magic already have mason and mane on two ways both point guards. well yes we can also add in a few picks and another asset which could be johnson or terrence davis idk. like which asset fits best on the magic
Bulls need bamba.wcj always injuried
Bamba was a lottery pick. Basically to replace Vucevic so they could trade him. Well didn’t really work out. Now they don’t want to play him. Worse they didn’t help him get better. Believe me Knicks fans we know this scenario. Vucevic is playing great. They should just move him to a team that needs a rim protector. He can still be that. Hornets should be after him, Or Heat .Bamba Bamba ……. Bamba Bamba
Dallas may want to deal Porzingus somewhere due to being in 13th place, but he wasn’t listed in that Miami link. Should be considered as they will have money if they opt out of Iguodala, Dragic & Leonard, none of whom are doing very good and could even be traded at midseason as expirings.
Orlando’s roster is (over) loaded at the 4 and 5 spots, which might make them ripe for a trade. But the current regime doesn’t seem to want to trade any of “their” players. Problem is the holdovers from the prior regime outperformed expectations the last few years and team made the playoffs last year. If they look out of the playoff picture by the TD, or finish outside the entire playoff field, then I’d expect Vucevic and Gordon to be available. Until they double down on this group, I don’t expect Bamba to be traded. They’re already in a position where they’d have to sell low after buying (very) high. Not much value to lose.