Mohamed Bamba is the best defensive player in this years draft. Mohamed Bamba is a 7’1” center with a 8’0” wingspan. Bamba is being compared to Rudy Gobert with his ability to change the game on the defensive end of the floor. Mohamed Bamba played his college basketball at Texas University under head coach Shaka Smart. Bamba averaged a doulble double at Texas with 13 points and 10 rebounds per game while averaging 3.7 blocks per game. Bamba has also been reported to have a 3/4 court speed of 3.04 seconds which is faster than most people in the league at any position.
Mohamed Bamba Potential Fits :
1 : Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are in rebuild mode and will be in play for most of the top draft choices in this draft with the 3rd overall pick. The Atlanta Hawks are going in a different direction with a new head coach and a young roster. The Hawks don’t have many veterans on their roster and are going to look towards the future. The Hawks hired Lloyd Pierce as their new head coach and he was the assistant coach on the Philadelphia 76ers. Lloyd Pierce has been through a rebuilding process before in Philadelphia.
Mohamed Bamba could be the center piece for the Hawks and their franchise player. Bamba has the ability to be a game changer on the defensive end with his length and athleticism. Bamba would be paired with point guard Dennis Schroder if the Hawks don’t look to trade him after he requested to be traded if the Hawks were headed towards a rebuild. The Hawks have some nice young pieces in John Collins and Taurean Prince in which they could pair with Bamba.
2 : Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been to the NBA Finals the past 4 years. The Cavaliers resigned LeBron James 4 years ago to pair up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in hopes of bringing a championship back to Cleveland. Two years ago they accomplished their goal of bringing a championship back. The Cavaliers traded franchise point guard Kyrie Irving this past offseason to the Boston Celtics and in return they landed the 8th pick in this years draft.
The Cleveland Cavaliers could go many different ways in this draft depending on the decision of LeBron James. Mohamed Bamba could be an intruging option at number 8 even if LeBron decides to leave. Mohamed Bamba could be a difference make on the Cavaliers if LeBron decides to stay. The Cavaliers could look to move Tristian Thompson and Kevin Love to add young pieces. This could also create and opening for Bamba to be the starting center and a defensive game changer.
3 : New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have the ninth overall pick in this years draft. The Knicks have two centers who both have a player option for this season. Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn have the choice to either opt-in or opt-out of their current deals. Mohamed Bamba most likely won’t slide to the ninth pick in the draft so if the Knicks want Bamba they will have to look to move up in the draft.
Mohamed Bamba would be a nice fit with the Knicks and would be paired with Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina. The Knicks could have one of the best defensive lineups in the league if they were to draft Bamba. Bamba could be the game changing center along with Porzingis making one of the best frontcourts in the league. Bamba would thrive with Porzingis on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. The Knicks should look to move up in the draft to have a chance to draft Bamba. Bamba is from New York City and would be a huge piece moving forward.
4 : Boston Celtics (Wildcard)
The Boston Celtics have been rumored to Mohamed Bamba the past week or so. The Boston Celtics have one of the most talented young rosters in the league and they are ready for a breakout season next year with the NBA Finals in their minds. They have a stellar core of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, and a bunch of draft picks.
The Boston Celtics will have to pile togther some draft picks and possibly a player if they want to move up in the draft to aqcuire Bamba. Mohamed Bamba would be the ideal center for the Boston Celtics. He is someone who can dominate the paint of the defensive end and control the boards on both ends. The Celtics wouldn’t need Bamba to contribute much on the offensive end with their stars but Bamba does have a nice offensive game inside and outside of the paint. Bamba would be a huge upgrade over Baynes with his defensive abilities.
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