He's a nice backup for Sengun with some late bloomer potential. Interesting option if the price is right. I do see a few teams wanting him, though, so might not be an easy get.
He is the OPPOSITE of what we need. Yet another project..... Possibly an option as a vet min 3rd string C. But doesn't fill our needs for a vet rim protector.
He's not good enough to be the backup C. Maybe 3rd string. At 3rd string, I would much rather try Garuba as smaller C than Bamba. Garuba has a very high defensive IQ, can make open 3's increasingly well, excellent passing out of the short roll, sets great picks, does what you tell him. Everyone who has given up on Bamba has done so for the same reason: just doesn't seem to get it. If we're trading Garuba though (heard we're shopping him) then yeah maybe as a 3rd string C.
13 boards in 22 min with the Lakers. I still think Bamba has the potential to be a very solid defensive focused C as a backup. I think Ime could change his approach. Hear me out: you run a completely different offense when he is in the game with VanVleet or whoever we have as PG runs a pick and roll offense with cutters on the lookout. When Sengun is on the floor you can flow a lot of the offense through him. Bamba rotation would be 100% focused on guards and forwards and his only job is to focus on boards, putbacks, setting picks, and the occasional open 3. Completely different look on offense. On D he takes on the role that Williams plays with the Celtics as a free safety type C and the guards and forwards wreak havoc on letting the opposing offense gain any kind of rhythm. Side by side with Bamba will be Jabari protecting the paint. Tari, KPJ, and VanVleet/Amen will be disrupting on ball.
He might be good for 12-15 mpg backing up Sengun, only if our other backup center options don’t pan out
The last thing we need. Udoka might murder him... (Another guy that BimaThug and Clutch wanted to literally pay and pop in there instead of Alperen Sengun not too long ago... Shhhh.)
If we whiff on Lopez and can't get a better vet C via trade, Bamba would be a intriguing pk up. His best year in Orl he averaged 10/8 with nearly 2 blocks in just 25 min a game. Shot 38% from 3 on 4 attempts. At 7'1 with a 7'10 wingspan he is a young guy who could get even better under Udoka.
So why you think Lakers would waive him if he is that good or useful? Who's the big men on Lakers again? AD and.....?
No more projects. Mo Mamba is a failed project at this point, let some other franchise take a chance at him, we have plenty of players to develop.
Probably because they have James, Davis, Hachimura and Vanderbilt. Plus they're trying to create room to sign Reaves and Rui, then plan to bring in 1 or 2 more guys. I didn't say he was great obviously, but going by his numbers in Orl which I listed, he's no bum as a back up big. 60 TS%, 38% from deep. Nearly a double double and 2 blocks in 25 min a gm. His per 36 was 18/14/2 with 3 blocks. Again no bum. Trust me I'd love to have Lopez, but when they're planning on tying up money in a guy like DB, I doubt they'll have the space for Lopez. Plus he's probably re-singing in Mil. Who else is out there? Slim pickings.
OK so by that logic why would we need Bamba when we have Tari Eason, Garuba, Jabari Smith and KJ Martin? None of the guys you listed are centers, if Bamba wasnt a bum Lakers would keep him since they literally have no one to backup AD. It's not like AD is an iron man out there either everyone knows how injury prone AD is, if Lakers would rather waive Bamba than keep him around for 10M then you he is a scrub and ain't worth it. If we can't get Lopez and just need to get a backup for Sengun I'd rather get a vet center like Bruno Fernsndo or an undrafted like Adem Bona. If you told me Bamba would sign for 3M-5M then ok let's get him. If not then screw him he ain't worth it.
Lakers don't have space to sign both those guys since they also plan to keep Hachimura and Reeves. Reality is Bamba was on hand for just 10M, if he was any good Lakers would keep him as their backup center for this year and then they focus on getting Reeves, Hachimura, Irving etc.
