When the Los Angeles Lakers traded Patrick Beverley and Thomas Bryant in a four-team deal that landed them center Mo Bamba and two future second-round draft picks in February, many regarded it as a shrewd move.
Bamba was projected to give them a reliable rim protector and 3-point shooter who could hold down the fort when Davis was resting. In fact, some felt there was an opportunity to play Bamba alongside Davis in a big yet fairly athletic frontcourt.
But Bamba never really stuck this year. Despite initially getting meaningful playing time and flashing his potential as a contributor, he sprained his ankle in early March and missed almost the rest of the regular season. During the playoffs, head coach Darvin Ham turned down the opportunity to give Bamba any real playing time, save for a few minutes during garbage time.
The big man has a non-guaranteed contract for next season, and Los Angeles needs to make a decision on him in the coming days. Reportedly, Bamba would like to play for the Chicago Bulls (h/t Lakers Nation).
Mo Bamba is a name to keep an eye on for the Chicago Bulls.
Bamba wants to play for the Bulls.
(Via @JCowleyHoops on @670TheScore)
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) June 23, 2023
One has to wonder why Ham never gave Bamba a fair chance after the center returned from his ankle injury. But if there are no internal issues with him, it would seem prudent for the Lakers to keep him around for at least one more season.
