OKC Thunder: 3 buy-low offseason trade targets to consider pursuing

OKC Thunder buy-low target No. 2) Mo Bamba

Like Kevin Knox, Mo Bamba was a high-end lottery selection from the 2018 NBA Draft that, unfortunately, has yet to make his mark in the league.

Unlike Knox, however, when given ample playing time, the big man has really managed to perform quite well.

The problem for Bamba during the majority of his tenure with the Orlando Magic so far has been that he’s been buried in the rotation behind other more established bigs like Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Jonothan Issac.

Though the two former players were eventually shipped off at this year’s trade deadline, the team’s front office still insisted on bringing back a big in Wendell Carter Jr., thus continuing the trend of not giving the 23-year-old the freedom to showcase his talents with consistent playing time.

Despite all this, the third-year center still managed to produce rather well, posting eight points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 47 percent shooting from the field in just 15.8 minutes per game.

To put this into perspective, if these numbers are put into per-36 minute conversions, we see these averages skyrocket to 18.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and nearly three blocks.

A legitimate 7-footer with an astounding 7-10 wingspan, Mo Bamba has an elite stature for the center position and has even proven capable of spacing the floor from time to time — has shot 33 percent from deep over the last two years — and excelling as a rim-protector.

It’s evident that the Orlando Magic are not sold on the Texas product and, frankly, we’re not entirely sure why — after all, they’ve barely given him time on the hardwood to showcase his potential.

That said, being the OKC Thunder are not looking to win right now anyway, they have the luxury of finding out what Mo Bamba can provide in extended minutes and in a bigger role at the pivot should they wish to take a chance.

We hope they do!