OKC Thunder: 3 buy-low trade targets team should consider

OKC Thunder target No. 3) Mo Bamba, Orlando Magic

For those of you who follow us at TI (we love you all), you have certainly seen the likes of Mo Bamba being mentioned as a trade target for the OKC Thunder.

In fact, just a few weeks ago we discussed how the third-year big man is a second-chance player Sam Presti should consider pursuing, citing his production in limited action as one of the main reasons for OKC to be interested:

"Despite not being able to find much playing time with the Magic rotation, as he’s been trapped behind the likes of Vucevic, Johnathan Issac, and Aaron Gordon in the frontcourt, in limited action Bamba has managed to showcase the many reasons as to why the franchise took a chance on him in the lottery not two years ago. Per 36 minutes, the young center saw averages of 13.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, and a whopping 3.5 blocks per game on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from deep in 2019-20. And sure, while many may suggest that per 36 averages are mere conversions and not reality — which, fine, you have a point — during the times in which Bamba actually did receive extended play during last year’s campaign, he managed to deliver. When logging 20-29 minutes in 2019-20, the former Longhorn saw averages of 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game on 52 percent shooting from the floor and an incredible 70 percent shooting from deep on 2.5 attempts."

As has been the case for the entirety of his career, the 7-footer has struggled once again in 2020-21 to find consistent playing time.

Through four games played, Bamba is seeing just 8.3 minutes and is averaging five points, 3.5 rebounds, and a half block per game on 44 percent shooting from the field. Like we did in the quoted segment above, we’re going to reference the 22-year-old’s per 36-minute conversions, where they skyrocket to an unbelievable 21.8 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks.

In the ONE game that he received over 13 minutes this season, he went on to drop 12 points and seven rebounds on 56 percent shooting from the floor and 50 percent shooting from deep.

There’s potential in Mo Bamba’s game, and the OKC Thunder should try and be the team to help set it free.