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Lakers Podcast: The reason why a Mo Bamba trade won’t happen

By Jason Reed

Jan 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Speculation around the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Mo Bamba has grown significantly this week. It has been documented all season that the Lakers are in need of a traditional second big for depth purposes and Anthony Davis’ injury accelerates that need for depth.

A new name emerged as a potential target in former sixth-overall pick, Mo Bamba. According to Mark Berman of the New York Post, the Lakers are reportedly interested in potentially trading Bamba. Oftentimes when there is smoke in the NBA, there is fire.

On paper, a Bamba acquisition seems perfect. He can slot in perfectly as that second traditional big, taking a portion of minutes from someone such as Markieff Morris, who has not been as good as expected this season.

He would provide that depth this season but also provide the team a potential long-term option at the center position. Bamba is only 22 and has one more year left under contract. If all goes as planned then he could take over for Marc Gasol after his contract expires.

It could also be great for his career. The Lakers’ player development is exceptional and learning from bigs such as Gasol and Davis could really help Bamba realize his potential as a rim protector and shot blocker.

However, there is one massive thing that would likely hold this trade up from happening and we discussed it on the latest episode of the Lake Show Life Podcast.

Talen Horton-Tucker will keep the Los Angeles Lakers from trading for Mo Bamba

The Orlando Magic have a reason to trade Mo Bamba if they get the right trade package in return. Bamba is buried in the rotation, has gotten fewer and fewer minutes every season of his career and the team’s best player is center Nikola Vucecic.

If the Magic do not see what they saw in Bamba three years ago then it makes sense to trade him now before his value continues to fall as they continue to give him limited playing time. However, in doing so, Orlando has to get potential in return.

And the only trade chip that really has future potential is Talen Horton-Tucker.

The Lakers won’t trade Kyle Kuzma for Bamba nor should they. And a package of Alfonzie McKinnie, Wes Matthews and Devontae Cacok simply is not enough. Orlando can get more for Bamba from another team, and if not, then they shouldn’t trade him.

THT is the only player that can realistically convince the Magic to trade Bamba and with the Lakers being very high on THT I doubt that happens.

The only way that is happens is if the Lakers know another team is going to offer him a poison pill contract that they cannot match. If they think THT is for sure gone after this season then I could maybe see the Lakers being okay with trading him.

Next. 3 teams that could offer THT a poison pill contract. dark

But at that point, the Los Angeles Lakers should try getting more than just Mo Bamba.

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