Magic center Mohamed Bamba, who is eligible for restricted free agency this summer, hopes to stick around in Orlando long term, writes Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel.
“I want to be here,” Bamba said of his NBA future. “I just want to make that clear. I’ll let that stuff handle itself and continue to work.”
As Price details, Bamba enjoyed his best year as a pro during the 2021/22 NBA season, averaging a career-best 10.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.7 BPG and 1.2 APG across a career-most 25.7 MPG as a starter alongside fellow big man Wendell Carter Jr., who was drafted one slot behind Bamba in 2018. Bamba also did a good job protecting the rim, Price notes. A career 68.5% free-throw shooter, the 7’0″ Bamba also connected on a career-best 78.1% from the charity stripe on a modest 1.0 attempts per game.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- After a disappointing 35-47 season, the Wizards face a fascinating summer. Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider link) provides a thorough preview of Washington’s offseason, contending that it all starts at finding a reliable point guard to play alongside shooting guard Bradley Beal, who could decline his $36.5MM player option this summer and enter free agency. Center Thomas Bryant will also be an unrestricted free agent. Marks notes that, when it comes to assets, the team possesses 10 tradable player contracts and a lottery pick in the upcoming draft.
- Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. intends to monitor the development of the team’s two most recent second-round selections, reserve point guard Cassius Winston and backup forward Isaiah Todd, writes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. “It’s a big offseason for those two,” Unseld said. “It’s a big offseason for all of our young guys. You’re going to have a season of ebbs and flows. Consistency is the thing we’re searching for and that’s one thing that young players at times have difficulty with… I thought Cash had some really good moments. Not a ton of sample size with the Wizards, but even with [Washington’s NBAGL affiliate the Capital City Go-Go]. Both he and Isaiah had big games and great opportunities to learn and grow.” Winston averagd 12.7 PPG and 4.6 APG as a reserve with the Go-Go, while Todd logged 12.1 PPG and 5.2 RPG for Washington’s G League club.
- While the Hawks won Game 3 on Friday to pull to within 2-1 in their first-round series, the Heat’s performance so far is showing Atlanta what the team still needs in order to make consistently deep playoff runs, writes Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Kirschner opines that finding a great perimeter defender needs to be a top priority for the Hawks in their roster-building, as Miami All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler has largely been dominant against Atlanta wings De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter.
Bamba wasn’t a backup. He started for Orlando all season… also Miami’s success in the 1st couple gms of this series just shows us how important Clint Capela & John Collins are. Which of course we already knew those guys were extremely important, that’s why they’re our starting frontcourt. John is extremely limited due to having only 9 working fingers & dealing with a not quite healed foot injury & obv Clint hasn’t played yet. And as far as finding a great perimeter defender, I’m guessing they missed the 2nd half of yesterday’s game. Jimmy was shut down after the 1st qtr of that game, primarily by Dre Hunter who is obviously a great defender already. Dre clamped Jimmy on the last possession to secure that big W. Also Delon Wright has literally been 1 of the best perimeter defenders in the entire league in the past few weeks. He’s been great in this series & was huge defensively in our W in Cleveland in the play-in. I feel like that article was probably pre-written before the Hawks won yesterday lol… oh yea but as far as the Hawks wanting defensive help on the perimeter I swear I begged them not to trade Cam Reddish. Cam was right there with Dre & Delon as our best perimeter defender. Having him here would def help but as yesterday’s game clearly showed, we can beat Miami without him, John or Clint. That should be scary to Mia fans/Atl haters, especially with Clint on his way back
Ok yea I see that the article was written when Mia was up 2-0. Lol recency bias strikes again
Cash Winston has always reminded me of a Detroit version of Kyle Lowry. I think he could have a Lowry type career in the NBA if he keeps progressing, esp as a shooter
Anyone paying max for Beal will regret it. He’s a nice player for sure, but not elite. A max player should have the ability to dictate the flow of the game, preferably on both sides of the floor. I’m guessing the majority of GMs would agree.
Interesting to see what happens. He’ll get it if he stays, out of loyalty in a small market but if he wants to win he’ll need to take a pay cut. He’s basically a less healthy CJ McCollum right?
He’ll get max without hesitation tho from any GM that can sign or S&T for him.
If you can’t recognize how good Brad Beal is a decade into his pro career then there’s something wrong with the way you’re watching the game. It has been extremely obv for yrs that he’s elite. It was pretty obv even before he got to the league tbh. Cmon guys do better. Be as harshly critical of yourselves as basketball fans before you run around being harshly critical of guys who’s games you don’t understand
Beal is just a shooter with a smooth style. He is not “great” nor a gamer. He is not as flexible as assumed either; does not get along with everyone (or anyone) nor can take alternate roles.
Sankara also applies does “recency bias” to too many things. There has to be a comparison of older and newer.
Hawks do not have a Jimmy Butler— that should be apparent. They do have an amazing ballhandler.
Wizards need a PG to go with Beal. Kinda funny cuz Westbrook fits the bill perfectly and the duo have shown they can work. They should just undo the trade. Both teams benefit. Haha!
Mo Bamba to Toronto or Memphis.
He’s a smart young kid and hopefully he doesn’t go for a money grab or definite starters role. Go for a playoff side where you’ll get minutes, but can grow with their young roster and then establish yourself as a starter.