NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Deal Mo Bamba to Bulls?

The Orlando Magic drafted Mo Bamba with the sixth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. But is his time with the team coming to an end?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 8, 2023

NBA Trade Rumors: Magic Deal Mo Bamba to Bulls? /

ORLANDO - With the NBA Trade Deadline a month away, the phones will be busy for all 30 teams in the league, including the Orlando Magic.

Arguably one of the biggest names with uncertainty surrounding his future in Orlando is big man Mo Bamba.

Bamba, 24, is averaging 7.9 points per game this season and is on a very tradeable contract, making only $10.3 million this year. He could make up to the same amount next season, but it is non-guaranteed.

Bamba could be an attractive trade target for a team needing some outside shooting in the frontcourt, like the Chicago Bulls.

NBA Analysis Network suggests a deal that sends Bamba to the Bulls in exchange for Coby White and Goran Dragic.

If this deal were to happen, Orlando would likely buy out the 36-year-old Dragic, allowing him to sign with a contending team. However, White would likely stay in Orlando with an uncertain role. With Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs all earning priority over White, it will be hard for the 22-year-old to crack consistent minutes out of the rotation.

Given the fact that Bamba was a DNP in Saturday night's win over the Golden State Warriors with Wendell Carter Jr. and Moe Wagner healthy, the tea leaves could be reading that Bamba's role is diminishing in Orlando, making sense as to why he could be a hot commodity at this year's trade deadline.

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Published Jan 8, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.