Should the Phoenix Suns pursue Mo Bamba?

The Phoenix Suns drafted a big man with the first pick. One of the other top bigs from that draft has been made available. Should they pursue him?

With the first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns selected Deandre Ayton. He’s a very efficient scorer that would be even more so with a true, established point guard on the team. The man is a walking double-double and while he has a ways to go defensively, he has a very bright future ahead of him.

With the sixth pick, the Orlando Magic selected Mo Bamba. He is raw offensively but provides a lot on the defensive end and could become one of the best shot blockers in the league. He has a lot of potential, is very long and is even showing proof of his development to expand his shot out to the three point line.

Phoenix Suns

For Ayton, he’s the established center on the Suns and gets plenty of playing time. Bamba, on the other hand, sits behind an all star in Nikola Vucevic.

While “Vooch” will be a free agent this summer, the Magic seem to have every intention on re-signing him. Orlando is pushing for a playoff spot in the Eastern conference and wants players that can help them win now.

This all equates, according to Brian Windhorst and Zach Lowe of ESPN, to Bamba being available through trade. Yes, the rookie that dropped jaws with his NBA draft combine-record 7-foot-10 wingspan, can be had at the right price.

Why would Phoenix be interested though? They already have their center of the future and they have needs at other positions that should be looked at with priority. Point guard should be first, followed by a power forward.

Why wouldn’t the Suns be interested? They need to improve in a lot of other areas besides what a point guard should bring, one being rebounding and another being rim protection. Bamba offers an upgrade at both of those.

Also, who is to say that Ayton and Bamba couldn’t be developed to play together? It would be a very raw, inexperienced frontcourt at first but over time they could become one of the best paint dwelling duos in the association. They can work together in bringing out the best in each other.

Deandre can help Mo develop his mid-range game and bring out his potential, while Bamba helps Ayton work on his defense and teach him how to throw down some vicious slams. Give them a season or couple seasons and they could be an absolutely formidable front court. Two young giants that can score in the paint, via mid-range and out to the three point line while swatting away shots like they’re annoying flies.

The front office in Phoenix should be very interested in the thought of pairing these two and should at least call the front office in Orlando to see if something can be worked out. My guess is the Magic likely are looking for a point guard as well and while the Suns can’t offer that, they can offer some help for the playoffs.

How would a potential trade look?

Since the Suns don’t have a point guard to offer, they’d have to propose something that would look very good to the Magic. Orlando’s other position of need is an improvement at their starting small forward spot. Warren can be that for them while being a player that if Jonathan Isaac ever figures it out, can move to the bench and be a bonafide sixth man.

A first round pick would likely have to be thrown in to sweeten the pot but Phoenix would offer the pick owed to them by the Milwaukee Bucks, so that’s not too steep of a price and Warren offers Orlando a lot more than Bamba does right now. If Mo remains on the bench, his value will continue to drop, while T.J. can step right in as their starting small forward and one of their best three point shooters.

The Suns lose a proven wing but as much as Warren offers and as big of a leap as he’s made this season, he isn’t the defender needed next to Booker and Ayton. Josh Jackson is showing signs lately and Mikal Bridges has some lockdown defense for a rookie which makes T.J. expendable. Also, Jonathon Simmons is struggling but if he can get back to the game he displayed as a Spur, that helps make up for the loss of Warren.

This is a steep price but Mo has the potential and tools to make it more than worth it. The Suns would be wise to call the Magic and see if they’d bite.