Mo Bamba Lakers Future Called Into Question Amid Anthony Davis Switch

The Los Angeles Lakers will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in tournament. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has great plans for his roster and his players are relatively healthy. Anthony Davis embraced his role at center and this could play a big role in the future. Lakers fans have some questions about Mo Bamba and his future with the Lakers.

Some players won’t make the 2023-24 roster and Bamba may be one of them. Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation says that Bamba’s playing time in the playoffs will say a lot about his chances to put on a purple and gold jersey next season.

“As far as Bamba goes, we’ll see if he can get back on the court here in the last few games,” Starkand said. “And if he’s playing playoff minutes, maybe our stance on him could change one way or another depending on how that goes.”

This makes sense in so many ways. Davis is healthy and dominant and the Lakers don’t need a backup at center.

“I think we’ve seen the Lakers usually just like to use minimum slots to fill out their center rotation,” Starkand detailed. “At this point, AD is a full-time center. He’s going to be playing a lot of minutes there. He does have his injuries, as we all know, so you’re going to need some insurance at that position, but I just don’t know if they want to pay $10 million for a backup center who’s only going to play a handful of minutes a game, especially when you got another guy like Wenyen Gabriel who’s been giving them quality minutes on a minimum-type contract.”

Lakers will consider Mo Bamba in the future

AD is definitely a fan. The Lakers big man is convinced that Bamba’s return to the game will change the chemistry on the floor.

Mo Bamba back soon pic.twitter.com/cvLj5QcmKw

— AD FANATIC (@tywow28) April 4, 2023

“I probably had it in my mind that I was going to play regardless just because of the game. But I think we gained more chemistry,” Davis said via the NBA Interviews YouTube channel. “Even though it’s not the result we wanted, we were able to get a healthy squat. Even though Mo didn’t play, just getting him back. Getting all our guys back and healthy and getting reps out on the floor for these last two games and then leading into the playoffs.”

Davis may like his teammate and his performance but Eric Pincus from Bleacher Report sees Bamba as a Dallas Mavericks player.