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Harlem native Mo Bamba does his best to recruit Donovan Mitchell to Knicks

ByJordanna Clark|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic dunks the ball against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Mo Bamba might not play for the New York Knicks, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t do what he can to try to make his hometown team relevant again. The current Orlando Magic center grew up as a Knicks fan in Harlem and wants to see Donovan Mitchell suit up for New York.

Mitchell was born in Elmsford, which is less than 30 miles outside of the city, and could be on a new roster for the start of the 2022-23 season. The guard spent his first five years in the league with the Utah Jazz and is signed with the team through 2024-25 with a player option in 2025-26, but a trade might be on the horizon.

If Mitchell requests a trade during the offseason, the Knicks wouldn’t be the only team who’d be in pursuit of him. But New York has the advantage of being Mitchell’s “home team” and if he were to play for the Knicks, Mitchell would get to spend more time with his family. He’s said that his family would factor into any decisions regarding his future.

Bamba could be on the move to a new team himself since the Magic secured the No. 1 pick in the draft. The likelihood of both him and Mitchell teaming up in New York is low, but that didn’t stop Bamba from telling Mitchell to go to the Knicks.

Mo Bamba tells Donovan Mitchell to ‘come home’ to New York Knicks.

Bamba’s message to Mitchell on the guard’s Instagram Live was short but sweet: “Come home.” And in case he left any room for discussion as to what “home” might mean, Bamba followed it up by writing “KNICKSSSS.”

The look on Mitchell’s face shows that he found it amusing, and hey, Bamba’s wish could end up coming true.

It isn’t a surprise that Mitchell’s spent time in New York during the offseason. As an avid New York Mets fan, he’s been spotted at Citi Field and has even made time to watch the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

And reportedly, Mitchell recently attended a CAA agent’s wedding where Leon Rose was also in attendance. And he and Immanuel Quickley have spent some time together.

It shouldn’t be too surprising if Mitchell makes it known that the Knicks are the team that he wants to play for next season, but at the same time, it would be surprising because the organization’s struggled to lure star talent to New York. But Mitchell’s roots play in the team’s favor in this case.

And the possibility of Bamba making his way back home isn’t out of the window, either. Is there any way that Sheck Wes can write a song about Bamba and Mitchell?

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