Bamba and the Magic agreed to terms Thursday on a two-year, $21 million contract, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
It appeared that Bamba would be seeking a new team for 2022-23 after the Magic didn't extend a qualifying offer to the big man prior to the league deadline, but the two sides seem to have reached an agreement after all, so Bamba will be back with the team that drafted him for his fifth NBA season. He averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 25.7 minutes per game last season, and he could push Wendell Carter for Orlando's starting center job in 2022-23 if he has a good offseason.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: To become unrestricted free agent
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Bamba did not receive a qualifying offer from the Magic and will become an unrestricted free agent July 1, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Orlando selected Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and Wendell Carter is also on the roster, so it seemed likely the Magic would move on from Bamba as part of its rebuild. Now that the deadline has passed without the team tendering a qualifying offer to Bamba, it appears the seven-footer will be with a new team for the 2022-23 season. In 71 games last season, he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 25.7 minutes per contest.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Strong end of season
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Bamba notched 21 points (7-11 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 28 minutes during Sunday's 125-111 win over the Heat.
Bamba started in all but two of his 71 games this season and was impressive, as he delivered career-best numbers across the board. He averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.2 assists and 0.5 steals per game this season.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Available and starting Sunday
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Bamba (ankle) will start Sunday's game against the Heat, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports.
Bamba was listed as questionable for the finale after playing just four minutes during Thursday's loss to the Hornets, but he'll be available for the regular-season finale. Over his last eight appearances, he's averaged 12.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks in 24.4 minutes per game.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Questionable for finale
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Bamba (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Bamba practiced Saturday, which bodes well for his chances of playing in the finale. That said, if he's out, more minutes could be in store for Moritz Wagner and Robin Lopez.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Practices Saturday
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Bamba (ankle) participated in Saturday's practice session, Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bamba sustained a right ankle sprain in Thursday's game against the Hornets, but it's encouraging that he was at practice a day before the regular-season finale. If he's unavailable Sunday against the Heat, Moritz Wagner and Chuma Okeke should see additional run.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Nursing sprained right ankle
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Bamba (ankle) is dealing with a sprained right ankle and will likely be questionable for the regular-season finale Sunday against Miami.
Bamba departed Thursday night's game against the Hornets early in the first quarter and was swiftly ruled out for the remainder of the contest. While he'll have a pair of off days to recover before Sunday's finale, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Magic play it safe and hold him out of what's ultimately a meaningless contest against the top team in the East.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Catches fire from deep
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Bamba dropped 21 points (7-14 FG, 5-9 3PT, 2-4 FT), 12 rebounds, six blocks and three assists in a 120-115 win over Cleveland on Tuesday.
Bamba buried all five of his three-pointers in the first quarter. The fourth-year center eclipsed 20 points for just the third time this season but notched his 19th double-double. Bamba was able to dominate after center Wendell Carter Jr. (wrist) was ruled out.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Double-doubles in blowout loss
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Bamba registered 13 points (5-13 FG, 3-8 3Pt) and 12 rebounds across 29 minutes during Sunday's 118-88 loss to the Knicks.
While the Knicks broke the game open with a big third quarter, Bamba did what he could to help keep Orlando competitive, notching his second straight double-double and fourth in the last six games. The big man did fail to record a single block or steal, however.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Double-double in OT loss
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Bamba notched 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-6 3Pt), 13 rebounds, one block and two steals in 33 minutes during Saturday's 114-110 overtime loss to the Kings.
The fourth-year center recorded at least one block in his fifth straight game while pulling down double-digit boards for the eighth time in the last 14. Bamba's averaging 12.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 threes and 1.1 blocks over the latter stretch, and with Wendell Carter (wrist) now joining the ranks of injured frontcourt players for the Magic, his role doesn't figure to shrink any time soon.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Posts 15th double-double of season
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Bamba recorded 11 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two blocks and one assist during Wednesday's 118-102 loss to the Thunder.
The center continued to be a factor off the glass with another solid, double-digit rebounding performance. It was Bamba's third time across his past four games in which he has grabbed at least 10 rebounds. His fine outing offensively also helped him accomplish his 15th double-double of the season.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Records 10 rebounds against OKC
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Bamba had seven points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 21 minutes during Sunday's 90-85 victory over the Thunder.
Bamba was held in check on the scoreboard Sunday, but he racked up double-digit rebounds for the third time in the last five games. Although he's scored in double figures just twice across that span, he's averaged 11.4 points and 8.4 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game during those five outings.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Available Sunday
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Bamba (calf) will start Sunday's contest against the 76ers.
Bamba was initially listed as questionable, but he'll suit up for a 25th consecutive game. Over his last seven contests, the big man has averaged 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 26.3 minutes.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Questionable Sunday
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Bamba is questionable for Sunday's game against the 76ers due to a left calf bruise.
Bamba hasn't missed a game since Jan. 14. Since then, he's averaged 11.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 23.3 minutes. If he's out Sunday, more minutes could be in store for Robin Lopez and Moritz Wagner.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Trending up in March
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Bamba recorded 27 points (10-15 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds and two blocks across 32 minutes Monday in the Magic's 118-110 win over the Timberwolves.
The scoring and three-point totals were Bamba's second-best of the season, trailing only his 32-point, seven-trey effort back on Jan. 19 in Philadelphia. Bamba's playing time and production had been sliding downward in February, and though he's seen 25 or minutes or fewer in four of the Magic's first six contests in March, he's at least resumed piling up stats. He's averaging 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 triples and 1.0 blocks so far this month.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Pulls down 15 boards
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Bamba finished with nine points (4-11 FG, 1-6 3Pt) and 15 rebounds across 22 minutes in Tuesday's 102-99 loss to the Suns.
Despite playing fewer than 25 minutes for the third straight game, Bamba finished with his most rebounds since Nov. 29, when he grabbed 17 in a loss to the 76ers. Though it was foul trouble and the Magic being on the wrong side of a blowout that resulted in his minutes tailing off the past two games, Bamba's lack of extended run Tuesday looks to have been a coach's decision. Bamba doesn't appear in imminent danger of losing hold on his starting role, though he may lose out on playing time down the stretch while the Magic look to make room in the lineup for Chuma Okeke.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Back-to-back double-doubles
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Bamba closed with 19 points (8-9 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 122-114 overtime loss to Indiana.
Bamba missed just one shot en route to 19 points, his most since scoring 32 during a Jan. 19 loss to the Sixers. His 12 rebounds were also his most since he grabbed 17 boards against Philadelphia on Nov. 29. After he averaged 8.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over a 10-game stretch in February, the fourth-year center has registred back-to-back double-doubles for the first time since mid-November. Bamba appeared to hit a midseason slump, but he's back on track now and will look to finish the last month of his career-best season strong.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Gets stats in win
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Bamba racked up 15 points (6-15 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one block and one steal across 30 minutes during Monday's 119-103 victory over the Pacers.
Bamba was solid but further lowered his three-point percentage to a tepid 27.0 percent across 11 February contests. Bamba averaged just 8.6 points and 22.7 minutes per game over that stretch -- each marking a monthly season low. It's encouraging to see Bamba produce double-digit rebounds -- featuring four offensive boards -- but he still grades as a negative contributor on both ends of the floor this season.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Near double-double Wednesday
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Bamba ended Wednesday's 130-109 loss to the Hawks with 11 points (5-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), nine rebounds, one assist and one block in 27 minutes.
Bamba nearly finished with a double-double performance, as the center bounced back from a sluggish offensive performance in Monday's loss to Denver by reaching double figures. Bamba has currently posted 10 double-doubles this season but has only totaled one since Dec. 1.
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Magic's Mo Bamba: Exceeds 30 minutes Friday
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Bamba closed Friday's 114-99 loss to Utah with 16 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 31 minutes.
Bamba enjoyed one of his more productive games since the start of the new year, putting together his second straight double-digit scoring effort after failing to reach that mark in the previous four contests. The big man complemented the solid point total with eight boards and his fourth performance with multiple blocks over his past five games. Perhaps most importantly, he logged his most minutes in a contest since Dec. 3. Rostering Bamba in fantasy has been frustrating at times this season, but given enough minutes, he should rack up enough boards and blocks to remain a strong asset at the center position.
