Mo Bamba joined Los Angeles Lakers Army in February before the trade deadline this year. Apparently, the February trades were highly successful for the LA side. If not for those trades, the team won’t have any balance, and making the postseason would remain a distant dream. But the Lakers reached the conference finals in the end.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a terrible problem with injuries this season. Many players, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, missed many games this season due to injuries. Other than the old horses, the new players who came in also suffered injuries. For instance, D’Angelo Russell missed several games due to an ankle injury. But then he came back and played essential roles in helping the Lakers in their miraculous turnaround. However, Mo Bamba did not play any major role for the Lakers this season. Hence, the LA side is looking to trade Mo Bamba this off-season. On a similar note, Bamba wants to join Chicago Bulls.
Mo Bamba Wishes To Join Chicago Bulls
Mo Bamba has a non-guaranteed agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers for the next season. Hence, in the offseason, he is a viable trade option for the Lakers. The team had a package idea for trade that included Mo Bamba, Malik Beasley, and the 17th overall pick in 2023. But they have not used the package yet. Previously, in February, the Lakers were happy to sign with Bamba because he could have been another big man after Anthony Davis. But the center remained unavailable due to an ankle injury. However, he is still on the team even after the NBA draft in 2023 has come and gone. Hence, many believe that the Lakers are planning to keep him for the next season.
It might also not be true. This is because Mo Bamba has expressed his desire to move to Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference. According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Bamba is looking to move to the Bulls. Moreover, Nikola Vucevic is an unrestricted free agent there. Hence, there is a chance that Mo Bamba will get a bigger scope of playing for the Bulls. The Los Angeles Lakers have time until June 29 to extend Bamba’s contract worth $10.5 million for the 2023-24 season. However, if they do not guarantee, then they will likely trade Bamba away. Hence, it is a question if the Lakers will trade Bamba to the Bulls or not.
Are The Lakers Willing To Trade Bamba To The Bulls?
For that trade, the Lakers need to make sure they get a good package from the Bulls. But the balls are in the Bulls’ court, as they have to show interest in that trade. Moreover, the Chicago Bulls have got Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, who raise hopes for the Bulls. But the Lakers, too, have different options where they can trade Bamba. Moreover, the Lakers bought two new players from the NBA Draft this year.
Jalen Hood-Schifino with the 17th overall pick and Maxwell Lewis with the 40th overall pick. But the Los Angeles Lakers need to keep looking for more options to strengthen their roster. They need to push for the championship next season for the sake of LeBron James. The King may retire soon.