The Toronto Raptors have taken a significant step to shore up their most glaring roster weakness, officially adding veteran centre Mo Bamba to the lineup. The move comes as starting big man Jakob Poeltl deals with a nagging back injury that will sideline him for at least another week.
Who Is Mo Bamba?
Born in Harlem to parents from the Ivory Coast, the 27-year-old Bamba brings a unique blend of size and skill to Toronto. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, a class that produced stars like Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Bamba famously set a draft combine record with a 7-foot-10 wingspan.
After a standout freshman year at the University of Texas, his professional career began with the Orlando Magic. While he showed flashes of potential, including a 2021-22 season where he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks while shooting 38% from three-point range, consistency eluded him. He has since played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Why the Raptors Needed Him
The signing addresses a critical lack of size on the Raptors' roster. Prior to Bamba's arrival, Jakob Poeltl was the only player taller than 6-foot-9. With Poeltl injured, the team has been forced to play All-Star forward Scottie Barnes at centre for a career-high 25% of his minutes this season.
While Barnes has excelled in the role, including a historic performance against the Golden State Warriors, the Raptors want to protect him from the nightly physical toll of battling the league's true giants. Bamba provides necessary depth and a different skill set, particularly as a floor-spacing big who can shoot from the outside—a trait he shares with fellow free-agent signing Sandro Mamukelashvili.
Contract Details and Future Outlook
Bamba's contract is structured as a tryout of sorts. It will not fully guarantee until January 10, which is the league-wide guarantee date. This arrangement functions similarly to an early 10-day contract, giving both sides nearly two extra weeks to evaluate the fit before standard 10-day contract rules take effect on January 5.
If successful, the Raptors could sign Bamba to two sequential 10-day deals before deciding whether to keep him for the remainder of the season. This timeline also gives Toronto management more clarity on Poeltl's health and potential trade market options ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
The Raptors are currently slightly over the NBA's luxury tax threshold. Bamba's signing adds a small amount to that figure, but the team is still widely expected to make a move before the deadline to dip back under the tax line.
For Bamba, Toronto represents a clear opportunity. His main critiques as a pro have revolved around a sporadic motor and a lack of strength. However, he recently dominated in the G League, including a standout game against the Raptors' own affiliate, Raptors 905, proving he can be a force when engaged. With a defined role and a team in clear need of his specific attributes, the stage is set for Bamba to make a meaningful impact in Toronto.
