Lakers Could Sign Mo Bamba After Waiving Him

The Los Angeles Lakers are targeting another big man with their 14th roster spot and Mo Bamba could get that spot, according to NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

The Lakers waived Bamba on June 29 while he was working out at the practice facility.

“L.A. is targeting another big man with its 14th roster spot, according to team sources,” Buha wrote. “They are likely to carry 14 guaranteed contracts into the season, leaving one roster spot open. Mo Bamba, whom the Lakers waived on Thursday, and Tristan Thompson, who joined the team right before their playoff run, remain options to fill that 14th spot, according to league sources.

“The big man market has been dry so far during this free-agency period, so the Lakers could also wait to see if better options present themselves.”

Bamba had a non-guaranteed contract for next season. The Lakers had until June 29 to make a decision on whether to guarantee Bamba’s $10.3 million salary.

Los Angeles acquired Bamba from the Orlando Magic at the February trade deadline for Patrick Beverley. The big man only appeared in nine regular-season games with the Lakers due to an ankle injury. He averaged 3.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 40.7% from the field, 31.3% from beyond the arc and 54.5% from the free-throw line.

The Magic drafted Bamba with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 draft out of Texas. The New York native has career averages of 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds with the Magic and Lakers. He didn’t have a role with Los Angeles in the 2023 playoffs, playing only 10 total minutes.

The Lakers have been very busy since free agency started on June 30. They re-signed Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura and signed Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes.