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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Mohamed Bamba looking to add to Orlando Magic’s long history at center

By Cj Kania

AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 12: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns holds the ball away from Tristan Clark #25 (back) and Jake Lindsey #3 (front) of the Baylor Bears at the Frank Erwin Center on February 12, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 12: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns holds the ball away from Tristan Clark #25 (back) and Jake Lindsey #3 (front) of the Baylor Bears at the Frank Erwin Center on February 12, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns plays defense against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Final Word

Mohamed Bamba has all the tools.

He fits what Jeff Weltman and John Hammond look for historically in the draft. Long, athletic, raw players with big upside.

With Nikola Vucevic in the final year of his contract and not being a great fit for the modern NBA, Mohamed Bamba could fill the void in the middle and help give this team a new identity as a defensive first group. That is what Steve Clifford has historically deployed.

Combining Mohamed Bamba with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon would give Orlando a young, new-age front court that could set a new trend of versatile basketball and become a mold for future teams to follow.

Orlando must decide whether they think Bamba will become a good enough offensive player to be a difference maker for this franchise.

Not addressing a back-court that currently consists of D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack in the draft could prove fatal for a team strapped with cash and with little assets to trade. But if they believe Bamba is the best player available that is who they need to pick.

After being stuck at the bottom of the standings for this long and not having a star to show for it they need to hit big in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Magic need a franchise-changing talent.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Who is Trae Young?

Bamba has the potential to be just that.