The Utah Jazz are bringing in some reinforcements to their frontcourt, signing center Mo Bamba to a 10-day contract. This move was confirmed by agents Mark Bartelstein and Greer Love, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
Bamba, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, has had quite the journey through the league. Over seven seasons, he's suited up for the Magic, Lakers, Sixers, Clippers, and Pelicans, amassing experience in 364 regular season games.
Despite his pedigree, Bamba found himself without a guaranteed NBA contract for the 2025/26 season. He spent training camp with the Jazz but was waived, subsequently joining their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.
In the G League, Bamba has been nothing short of impressive. At 27, he's putting up averages of 17.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, while showcasing a solid shooting touch with splits of .553/.380/.807 over 22 appearances.
His G League success briefly translated to an NBA opportunity with the Raptors late last year. Bamba was brought in on a non-guaranteed deal to bolster their frontcourt, with Jakob Poeltl sidelined by a back issue. However, his stint was short-lived, as he was waived before his contract became guaranteed.
Now, Bamba has a fresh opportunity in Utah, where the Jazz are dealing with a depleted front line. Injuries have hit hard, with starting center Walker Kessler out for the season following shoulder surgery, and Jusuf Nurkic sidelined by a nose surgery. Jaren Jackson Jr. is also done for the year after knee surgery, and Lauri Markkanen is currently under evaluation for an injury sustained in practice.
This 10-day contract is a chance for Bamba to make a significant impact, earning $177,064 while the Jazz absorb a cap hit of $131,970. With the Jazz’s frontcourt in need of depth, Bamba’s presence could be pivotal as they navigate through these challenging times.