Mo Bamba is set to sign a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Per Woj, the Sixers intend to consider Bamba as an insurance center to back up reigning league MVP Joel Embiid should restricted free agent Paul Reed pivot away from Philadelphia this offseason.
Bamba played his first 4 ½ seasons in the Orlando Magic until the club dealt him in the midseason of 2022-23 to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 25-year-old center struggled from ankle issues as he was limited to just nine games of appearance for L.A. by averaging 3.7 points, 4.6 boards, and 40.7 percent field goal efficiency. The injury unluckily persisted to the Lakers’ solid playoff run as he wasn’t able to serve as a significant reserve for Anthony Davis.
Prior to the opening of free agency, the Lakers waived Bamba’s non-guaranteed contract for 2023-24 worth over $10MM which ultimately led the big man to land in Philly.
A career 35.9 percent shooter from three-point land and a towering presence who has 1.3 blocks average, the 76ers’ signing with Bamba is considerably a good move in consideration of a worthy second-unit replacement for Embiid.
