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Nerlens Noel trade creates need for Knicks to sign Mo Bamba in free agency

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 24: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks is defended by Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic 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: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks is defended by Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic 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) /
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The New York Knicks are back on the market for a backup center after trading Nerlens Noel (and Alec Burks) to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday evening. And because the Orlando Magic aren’t expected to extend a qualifying offer to Mo Bamba, the Knicks could turn to the Harlem native in free agency.

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported that New York’s expected to re-sign Mitchell Robinson to a four-year, $80 million deal, which is a great sign. The Knicks are also expected to waive Taj Gibson to create an additional $5.2 million in cap space. If Robinson is re-signed and Gibson is waived, that’d leave New York with Jericho Sims as the lone backup.

But not if Bamba were to come back home to play for the Knicks. He’s spent his first four seasons in the league in Orlando, where he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.2 assists in 71 games this past year. Bamba’s an avenue that New York should definitely explore.

The Knicks need to consider signing Mo Bamba when free agency begins

If the Magic don’t extend a qualifying offer to Bamba by the end of the day, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday. And according to Orlando Sentinel (subscription required), the Lakers, Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves, Raptors, and Heat are expected to be interested in Bamba, along with the Knicks.

However, there’s also a chance that Orlando will re-sign the seven-foot big man in free agency. The Magic may just not want to offer him the $10 million qualifying offer. They also already have Wendell Carter Jr. and Moritz Wagner on their roster, which means that they could be willing to part ways with Bamba.

He was the No. 6 draft pick in 2018. New York traded away its 2018 lottery pick back in January as part of the Cam Reddish deal, so signing Bamba would mean that the Knicks would have another lottery pick on their roster. And at the age of 24, he’d fit in with the team’s young core.

The bonus is that he isn’t at all a bad shooter for his size. He shot 48% from the field and 38.1% from the 3-point line this past season. He’s different than Robinson in that regard, who has a limited offensive game. That’s all the more reason to pursue Bamba.

His time in Orlando has been hindered by injuries, so returning to New York could be just what Bamba needs. He’s already spent some time recruiting for the Knicks, his hometown team, and he’d likely jump at the opportunity to return back to where it all began for him.

If New York’s in pursuit of Bamba tomorrow once free agency begins at 6 p.m. ET, hopefully the Knicks will be the ones to end up victorious because he’d fill a need.