Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2019

5. Mohamed Bamba (4 years, $24.1 million)

The Orlando Magic believe they have something of an interesting trio to develop with Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba. They are far from ready to give up on that without any real experimentation with that group.

This year was not the year to experiment with it.

Bamba was still a rookie and far from ready to play in the NBA. They knew that when they drafted him. And so the Magic are willing to be patient and wait for him to develop.

Bamba’s year may now be over with a stress fracture in his left tibia. The Magic still seem hopeful that he will return before the end of the year. They have limited his minutes some because of Nikola Vucevic’s All-Star turn but also to put him in positions to succeed.

His statistics are probably nothing to write home about — 6.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. But he showed plentyo f potential and grow that goes beyond his record-setting wingspan.

The Magic are definitely not trading him. They value him too much. Anyone who would acquire him would acquire him as a potential play. And so the Magic would expect a big return if they did trade him.

That is likely why discussions with the Dallas Mavericks fell apart when the Orlando Magic engaged them for Dennis Smith. The Mavericks asked for Mohamed Bamba or Jonathan Isaac in that deal and the Magic did not entertain that much further.

The Magic are going to give Bamba plenty of time to grow and develop. Fans might remain frustrated that he comes off the bench or that he might still have to earn that spot over a returning Vucevic.

But Bamba’s time will surely come. It is just a matter of when. And the Magic are willing to wait.