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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 33: It’s delicate

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 14, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 14: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 14, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 5: Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 5, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The other end of the Nikola Vucevic question then is what to do with Mohamed Bamba. Any question about Vucevic’s future is tied to just how ready Bamba is and when he will be ready.

The stats do not look good for Bamba. He is averaging 6.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Worse than that, he has had one of the least impactful stretches of any rotation player. The Magic have a -17.0 net rating with Bamba on the floor this year, the worst of any rotation player on the team.

It has been a rough go for Bamba. The Magic have not helped him by putting him in some poor lineups off the bench. But the team has certainly had to be patient with him.

That was all expected. Bamba was a massive project. His offensive game has developed nicely — although his shooting has cratered a bit. Bamba’s defensive impact is potentially strong and when he is engaged he can be a force as a shot blocker. But it is still a long way away from being what the Magic imagined. Bamba is not physically ready for major minutes.

This is all to say, there really is no point anyone should panic about Bamba this year. The whole point of this season was to get Bamba’s feet wet in the NBA. They wanted to throw him out there and just let him play.

There are legitimate questions whether playing Khem Birch is better for the team winning than playing Mohamed Bamba. I think that is the central tension for this season. And even making that change is not to say Bamba cannot win that job back if he loses it.

Certainly, I think it is fair to say Bamba is behind what many thought he would be. And that should be a little disappointing. But I think saying worry is a little much.

If he shows up at Summer League and does not seem to have made any gains physically, then I think some worry is a little more warranted. If he still looks like a fringe reserve player next summer then I think that is more concerning.

Maybe there is some worry now because it really looks like it will take Bamba at least another full season to be ready for meaningful minutes. For now, patience is the operative word. You just want to see him get better.

And on that front, Bamba has done that if in fits and starts.