The Toronto Raptors have boosted their frontcourt by signing Mo Bamba, a seven-foot center. The NBA team confirmed the acquisition of the 2018 lottery pick on Monday, following earlier reports of the agreement. Specific details of the contract were not disclosed.
The addition of Bamba provides the Raptors with much-needed size inside, particularly with starting center Jakob Poeltl sidelined due to a back injury. Without the seven-foot Austrian in the lineup, the team has faced challenges in rim protection. In a recent game against Golden State, power forward Scottie Barnes, who stands at six-foot-eight, filled in at center and impressively grabbed 25 rebounds during the Raptors’ 141-127 overtime victory.
During Poeltl’s absence, six-foot-nine forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has also been deployed as a makeshift center. Bamba, aged 27 and born in New York to Ivorian parents, was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by Orlando. Despite stints with various teams including the Magic, Lakers, 76ers, Clippers, and Pelicans, he has struggled to leave a significant mark in his seven NBA seasons.
Throughout his career, Bamba has averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 364 NBA games, with 101 of those as a starter. Earlier this season, he played for the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, showcasing solid performance by averaging 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.9 blocks in 14 games.
Bamba was poised to face his former team as the Raptors squared off against Orlando on Monday night.