5 wild card targets for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022 NBA free agency

Mo Bamba could be a wild card free agent target for the Milwaukee Bucks

After the team recently landed the top overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Mo Bamba’s time with the Orlando Magic could be coming to an end. According to B/R’s Jake Fischer, league personnel believe that the magic could move on from Bamba to clear frontcourt room for Jabari Smith or Chet Holmgren. If Bamba is looking for a new home in free agency, the Milwaukee Bucks could make sense as a potential destination due to the uncertainty surrounding the center position.

Brook Lopez had a tough year as he was incredibly limited to back surgery, and he is getting older, having just turned 34-years-old with one year left on his deal. While they could extend the center, there are also some fans who have clamored for the team to potentially trade him to get younger. Bamba would fit the billing there, and he could provide some assistance on both ends of the court due to his shot-blocking and outside shooting. The big man averaged 1.7 blocks while knocking in 38.1 percent of his triples this past season, both of which were new career highs and are two key attributes that would help Bamba fit in seamlessly with Milwaukee. Perhaps the 24-year-old is capable of being the long-term answer for the Bucks at the center position.

Though Bamba is a desirable target for the Bucks, there would be some hurdles in their potential pursuit to acquire him. As of right now, Bamba is set to be a restricted free agent, and there are a handful of teams that would be able to offer him far more compensation than the Bucks could if they were interested. Perhaps Milwaukee’s front office could entice the big man with the promise of a clear role on the team and the chance to compete for years to come. Milwaukee could be an ideal place for the former lottery pick to develop his game, but it may ultimately come down to what other teams may be able to offer him if the Magic decide to let him go.

Stay tuned to see if the Milwaukee Bucks pursue any of these intriguing names in free agency.