Lakers rumors: 3 potential trade packages for Mo Bamba

The Lakers rumors continue to grow by the day as we get closer to the trade deadline and a new potential target has emerged for the team. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, Orlando Magic big man Mo Bamba has been made available in trade talks. This gives the Lakers a potential plan B option for Myles Turner.

Bamba offers a similar dynamic that Turner would offer the Lakers. He can stretch the floor as a shooting five while also providing a rim-protecting and rebounding presence on the defensive end.

Mamba is not as good as Turner but he can offer 85% of what Turner would offer in Los Angeles. With a Turner trade likely off the table, this could become the next best move. Best of all, there are several ways in which the Lakers could make this happen.

Lakers rumors: 3 potential trade packages for Mo Bamba

1. The simplest possible trade

Bamba is not going to have that much trade value as he only has one more year left under contract and it is not guaranteed. He has not been a big part of Orlando’s rotation and centers have the least trade value of any position in the sport.

Thus, an evaluation of two second-round picks is a fair one for Bamba and that is exactly what Los Angeles is offering in this trade.

This is the simplest of the possible trades and it is the most boring as well. Orlando would merely be getting draft capital in return for Bamba as Beverley’s expiring contract would likely be bought out as soon as the deal was finalized.

This is the simplest and most likely of these potential trades. That being said, the Lakers could get creative if they want to maintain their 2023 second-round pick or they could even make Mamba part of a bigger trade.