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Report: Kings may be interested in Mo Bamba

Sacramento is in desperate need of quality backup center minutes.
By | 40 Comments | Dec 21, 2022

Mar 26, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) defends Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) during over time at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, the Sacramento Kings have been linked to Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba, although their reported interest seems to be stemming from other front offices, rather than their own:

“There are teams like the Lakers and Clippers, as well as Toronto, Sacramento and Brooklyn, that front-office personnel expect to sniff around the big-man market ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline and may be willing to cough of a pair of second-round choices for Bamba.

A player like Mo Bamba makes perfect sense for the Kings, as their choices at reserve center, namely Richaun Holmes, Alex Len, and Chimezie Metu, have all struggled in their time on the court, with Head Coach Mike Brown recently lamenting his lack of options to back up likely All-Star Domantas Sabonis. Last season, Bamba averaged a career-high in minutes (25.7), points (10.6), rebounds (8.1), and blocks (1.7), while also knocking down 38% of his four attempts from deep per game. For a team looking for both floor-spacing and rim protection off of the bench, Bamba could solve several issues for the Kings.

Of course, as with any NBA transaction, a theoretical trade will likely come down to cost for both the Kings and the Magic. According to Fisher, the Magic are hoping to snag a late or protected first rounder, while most shoppers will likely prefer to surrender multiple seconds, of which the Kings own 11 over the next seven drafts. From a salary-matching perspective, the Kings would have several paths toward acquiring Bamba. The easiest option is to send the ineffective Richaun Holmes to a new situation, but Orlando may not be willing to take on the 2 years, $25 million owed to Holmes, compared to Bamba’s singular season of $10 million, which is non-guaranteed. If the Magic say no to Holmes’ monetary commitment, Sacramento could send a combination of several players, the easiest of which would be Terence Davis and Alex Len, both of whom hold expiring contracts. The Kings could offer Davis, a solid young guard, as an actual asset, Len, a veteran salary-filler, and two or three second rounders to satisfy Orlando, assuming the price comes down.

Over the next several weeks, Kings fans should expect Monte McNair and the front office to be linked to just about every available backup center, as it’s clear they don’t currently employ a reliable option on the roster. From a fit perspective, the Kings couldn’t ask for much better than Bamba, although his cost may be prohibitive for a team that can’t trade a first rounder in the near future. If the front office can swing a player of Bamba’s caliber for nothing more than second rounders and salary filler, they’ll shore up one of the weakest positions on the depth chart without sacrificing anything of long-term value.

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Brown.says.Good.or.Bad
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December 21, 2022 3:20 pm

Can anyone explain how Holmes became so bad so quickly? It wasn’t that long ago we were celebrating how good his contract extension was

Hamlet1989
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December 21, 2022 3:28 pm

It was a combination of factors beginning with his personal/legal troubles, then the injuries, then the team moved on with Domas and Holmes just never really found a niche again. First he found the right fit here, and then he lost it. I’ve also heard attitude blamed recently.

andy_sims
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December 21, 2022 6:07 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

Re: Attitude problems

“A lot of people are saying…”

Hamlet1989
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December 21, 2022 6:19 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Jerry Reynolds suggested as much in a recent TKH podcast.

JoeMama
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December 21, 2022 3:33 pm

final answer = SABONER is now with the SAC

Kosta
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December 21, 2022 6:28 pm
Reply to  JoeMama

NICE!

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Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
SneakerKing
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December 21, 2022 3:53 pm

Hali is gone. Hali and Holmes PnR was an offense. Once Hali got jettisoned, it left Holmes in no man’s land.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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December 21, 2022 4:21 pm

I think it is a system thing. Monte’s players and Brown’s offense is built around a passing big man who operates well from the elbow and out of a double team. Holmes is just not that kind of player. He’s and PnR roller that teams can sag off of on defense and close out on shooters. Sabonis is the opposite. He demands pressure or a double team and gets others on the floor open looks.

Basically when you sub Holmes in for Sabonis, it’s not just a one for one exchange. Everyone on the floor is effected and needs to adjust. The sum is lesser of its parts.

MichaelMack
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December 21, 2022 4:34 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I think this is it Adam. Unfortunately for Holmes, it looks like his game is fairly limited, though productive within those limits. He has always committed quite a few careless fouls as well, including a lot of moving screens, and I am under the impression so far that Brown has little patience for traits like that.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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December 21, 2022 4:46 pm
Reply to  MichaelMack

I think Holmes does many things adequately and nothing horribly. The problem is he’s not really good at one thing that the team can rely on. He can’t hit from deep, he’s not a real rim protector, not a deft passer, not an elite screener or defender.

He’s a serviceable big man worthy of limited minutes on a good team. I think he could be very valuable to a team like Miami or Toronto who lack size or as a backup to legit starting centers. I think we Kings fans just think fondly of him as a starter, but that was on a bad teams.

Frankly, the only teams I could see him starting for, are teams that are already in on the tank for Wemby (OKC, Houston, Hornets, etc.), but I don’t think they want his contract.

MichaelMack
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December 21, 2022 4:53 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Watching him try and set high screens and rolling before there is even any contact has been rough. He needs to play with a point guard like Hali, or Ball, who want to have the ball in their hands and run a lot of pick and rolls. He is not suited for a motion offense.

I guess the other thing I find odd, is he seems to have lost some mobility, or fire, or whatever made him so good his first few years as a per-minute monster getting boards and buckets off the bench in PHI and PHX, and his terrific year starting for SAC he seemed to never tire, to always bang, to get out on the break. He seems so stiff and almost timid now. I dont know if that is just being uncomfortable in his situation, which I would understand, or if he has slipped physically.

RattleSeattle96
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December 23, 2022 6:06 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Holmes for Duncan Robinson?

Kings-Rebuild
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December 21, 2022 4:49 pm

If you go back and look at the dialogue prior to signing Holmes there was a few of us who felt the Kings were walking right into another over payment. 3 years for $30 with a team option in year 3 should have been the maximum offered for him. We are now stuck with this contract for this year and next. His play has definitely dropped off but he was never worth the contract the Kings gave him. Orlando won’t take that contract for Bamba as much as I wish they would.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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December 21, 2022 5:07 pm
Reply to  Kings-Rebuild

I’m not so sure about that. Back when the Kings re-signed him, he was the only option at starting center. They would have been in a pickle had he walked in free agency. The difference between his current contract and the one you suggest is a bit moot now, since he’s not playing.

If he were making $10M this as opposed to the roughly $12 he is currently making it wouldn’t make a bit of difference where he is in the rotation now, or even is market value.

FWIW, he’s the 125th highest paid player in the league, right around the same price as Dwight Powell, who is the Mavs version of Holmes. I mean, Marvin Bagley just signed a deal with Detroit worth more than Holmes. It ain’t that bleak.

Kingsguru21
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December 21, 2022 5:58 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

 I mean, Marvin Bagley just signed a deal with Detroit worth more than Holmes. It ain’t that bleak.

And it’s basically half over at that. He’s not that expensive, either, as you point out. He makes more than Banchero, but all of 155K more. And remember, rookie scale deals like Banchero being the 1:1 pick is set to make 50M just on his rookie deal alone over 4 seasons.

I’m not claiming Holmes is anywhere near Banchero’s value or anything, but my point is that Banchero will make 50M gross before his next much more lucrative 2nd contract. Most guys in the NBA never make 50M total. Most of Holmes’ career earnings have been made just on this deal alone.

The question isn’t whether Holmes could be traded. The question is for whom, and, for my money, Mo Bamba isn’t all that enticing. And I’m certainly not giving up a late 1st for that sort of guy either. Bamba is Orlando’s mistake, not Sacramento’s. There’s no reason to pay a premium to get him.

andy_sims
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December 21, 2022 6:13 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

$12 mil ain’t a lot of money for a backup center, and any GM would tell you as much. Holmes is simply no longer the right fit for Brown’s offense, but could still log a lot of minutes in the right situation.

If I wasn’t so lazy, I’d look to see if it’s the same people agonizing about Holmes’ deal that were in high dudgeon about Barnes’ “terrible” contract.

Kingsguru21
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December 21, 2022 6:47 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Well Sims, the Kings must be in a hurry to figure out a solution with Harrison Barnes because my god next July will be here before you know it and MY GOODNESS HARRISON BARNES WILL BE EXPIRED BY THEN AND WHATEVER SHALL THE KINGS DO?!?!?!?!?

Oh, had a trade idea I thought I’d run by ya since we’re here. Duncan Robinson to Charlotte, Mason Plumlee and JT Thor (I’m not picky on this part), and Richaun Holmes and Trey Lyles to Miami.

I’m just curious who says no. Probably Charlotte as they might not have any interest in Robinson whatsoever as a player or as a trade chip.

Eh, who knows what will happen. My hunch is Holmes is traded by the deadline and we probably even like who is coming back.

Kings-Rebuild
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December 21, 2022 6:32 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

It’s not the 10m vs 12m that’s the big difference, it’s the length of the contract and lack of team option. To suggest a 30 win team was in a pickle to sign one of their marginal starters, I think that’s pushing the analysis a bit.

murraytant
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December 22, 2022 4:16 pm

no more Hali, no more pick and roll. Confidence and personal issues

Hamlet1989
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December 21, 2022 3:21 pm

Social media SUPERSTAR!

JoeMama
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December 21, 2022 3:34 pm
Reply to  Hamlet1989

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOUD SUPERSTAR COMMENT

Hamlet1989
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December 21, 2022 3:38 pm
Reply to  JoeMama

Yw

TerzoM
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December 21, 2022 3:57 pm

Mo BeamBa
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Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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December 21, 2022 4:16 pm

Question for our CBA guru(s). Do the Kings have Bird Rights on Terrance Davis, and if so, are those rights transferable if he were traded. I ask this because if the Kings are going to get any worth out of a contract like Holmes, they are likely going to have to add TD. He has value at $4M, especially if he can be retained via Bird Rights in free agency this summer.

TheLoKey1
December 21, 2022 4:50 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I don’t believe so. If I remember correctly, bird rights are created with a 3 year contract or longer and I think TD only signed a 2 year deal.

Kingsguru21
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December 21, 2022 5:59 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Yes, the Kings have Bird Rights on TD and yes they would transfer in trade.

Kingsguru21
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December 21, 2022 7:01 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Let me help you a bit more Adam.

When the Kings resigned TD in 2021, they had EBR’s. Which at that point you have 2 years towards Bird rights. Now that he has 2 more years, and you only need 3 years to establish full Bird rights, that’s how he has full Bird rights right now. When the Raptors traded TD in the first place, they traded his EBR’s with TD. Bird/EBR/Non Bird all transfer in trade. The only time they do not transfer is if you waive a player or renounce that players Bird rights.

For instance, as of now, the Kings, assuming they don’t waive Moneke or Okpala, would have EBR’s on both of them in 2024. This would also transfer in trade were they to trade either one.

They have EBR’s on Malik Monk because he’s only signed for 2 years. They also have EBR’s on Trey Lyles because he only signed a 2 year deal with Detroit.

FWIW.

MaybeNextYear
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December 21, 2022 4:18 pm

Out of curiosity, when is the nearest 1st round pick we can actually trade?

(side note, but related: one reason I’m in favor of a John Collins trade, even now, is that we can structure looser protections on our Kevin Huerter pick in lieu of sending out a new pick. Could be mutually beneficial to both teams.)

Last edited 1 year ago by MaybeNextYear
Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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December 21, 2022 4:23 pm
Reply to  MaybeNextYear

As of today, 2028.

Here are the current restrictions:

2024 first round draft pick to Atlanta
Sacramento’s 1st round pick to Atlanta protected for selections 1-14 in 2024, 1-12 in 2025 and 1-10 in 2026; if Sacramento has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Atlanta by 2026, then Sacramento will instead convey its 2026 2nd round pick and 2027 2nd round pick to Atlanta [Atlanta-Sacramento, 7/6/2022]

murraytant
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December 22, 2022 4:24 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

so Kings could trade 2027 first round pick?

RattleSeattle96
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December 23, 2022 6:15 am
Reply to  murraytant

Right 2027. Hopefully it conveys in 2024 and we will be free from the Stepien rule.

RobHessing
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December 21, 2022 4:43 pm

Bagley for Bamba – who says no?
.
.
.
Sorry, I must have dozed off.

Kosta
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December 21, 2022 6:30 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Who says MO?

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
MichaelMack
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December 21, 2022 4:48 pm

I like Mo Bamba, but I do not love Mo Bamba. He is Dedmon-esque in the way that he looks good on paper with his size and shooting and block numbers, but when you watch him game to game, there is a very Willy Cauley-East vibe to him where he looks like a real weapon one night then the next night his motor and concentration run very low.

Obviously if the expectation is 12-18 minutes a night and be able to start a few games to rest the starter, then he would be plenty adequate.

Maybe he needs a change of scenery after seeing the team pivot to Carter, Banchero, and Bol as a three man rotation, and Isaac always lurking out there “working his way back from injury”. Maybe this can be motivation to play for a team on the upswing and he can use being a valuable member to get paid after 23-24.

Adam’s continued suggestion of Plumley seems cheaper/safer. I really like Olynyk for his ability to pass/shoot, but he would probably cost too much. I like Nerlens Noel as well.

Some dollar-store options could be Hernangomez, Dieng, or Jaxson Hayes who might be able to play alongside Sabonis as well.

AnybodyButBagley
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December 21, 2022 5:51 pm

Report….the earth is round and the Kings need a back up center. The Kings are interested in Bamba and any other center available.

murraytant
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December 22, 2022 4:27 pm

Mo is not worth no more than second rounders. and Not TD.

TheBaker
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December 21, 2022 6:05 pm

Trade them secondroundnotworthmuch picks!

RattleSeattle96
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December 23, 2022 6:01 am

I don’t know if Holmes can be effective in the King’s system but he hasn’t been given a realistic fair shot at it either. If I was Holmes I would be working all day on making my 3 point shot respectable. His push shot used to be automatic.

Hobby916
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December 23, 2022 9:29 am

My guess is that the coaches see things in practice that show he doesn’t grasp the system.

BeTheBall
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December 23, 2022 10:36 am

Davis+Len+2 seconds.

Get it done!

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