Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Mo Bamba, ORL 2023 2nd Round Pick
Orlando Magic Receive: C Bismack Biyombo, F Jalen McDaniels, CHA 2022 1st Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
After signing Gordon Hayward in the offseason and drafting LaMelo Ball 3rd overall, there was a lot of hype surrounding the Hornets entering the season and so far, they have met their expectations. This team is very inexperienced when it comes to making the playoffs, but with Hayward and Rozier playing at a high-level, this team has what it takes to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
Fortifying their frontcourt with a young, talented center like Mo Bamba could make a lot of sense for the Hornets, especially since Cody Zeller is nothing more than a role player. Zeller has been decent this year, averaging 9.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, but this team does not really have any other reliable options to back him up.
Bismack Biyombo is averaging 5.8 points and 5.5 rebounds this season and P.J. Washington is a little undersized to play the center position for a rotation or two for the Hornets. As a result, acquiring a young shot-blocker like Bamba could really do wonders for the Hornets chances of making the playoffs this year.
RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers have interest in trade for Magic center Mo Bamba
For the Magic, Mo Bamba does not get much playing time as it is, so trading him while he still has value makes a ton of sense. Biyombo is in the final year of his contract, freeing up some cap space at the end of the year and Jalen McDaniels is an intriguing young player that has a lot of potential to grow into something special given opportunities because of his athleticism.
McDaniels stands about 6’9” and can play on the wing or in the low-post, which is why he could be a young player the Magic could be interested in. With all of the injuries they have, Jalen McDaniels would get his shot to prove his worth and he could turn into a really solid two-way player in Steve Clifford’s system in Orlando.
With all of this being said, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade could make a lot of sense for both the Magic and the Hornets.
