The backup 5 position is one where the Cleveland Cavaliers could use a meaningful player for their rotation, despite that being a need that’s flown somewhat under the radar.
Obviously, the Cavaliers must address their need on the wing and they have to bring in perimeter shooting to aid their core players. One would have to assume the Cavaliers will do so over the offseason, and Cleveland has to linked to a litony of wing targets, whether those are possible ones by way of trade or free agency.
Circling back, though, it would behoove Cleveland to look elsewhere for a backup 5, to alleviate some of the workload on Jarrett Allen and/or to some degree, Evan Mobley. Cleveland has been rumored to be targeting the likes of players such as Naz Reid, Mason Plumlee and Drew Eubanks, among others, and each of those players could be sensible signings.
That said, a guy who could be an underrated target for this offseason could be the likes of Mo Bamba. Bamba is not for certain an unrestricted free agent yet, but it seems unlikely that his $10.3 million deal will end up being fully guaranteed by the Los Angeles Lakers, his current team. If Bamba were to be waived by that guarantee date of June 29, he’d be on the market in upcoming free agency.
With that possibility in mind, he could be a quality pickup by the Cavs for his two-way play.
Bamba could prove to be a quality addition for the Cavaliers, for how he could impact games on both ends.
We’ll begin the defensive end, where the colossal frame of Bamba and how he utilizes his length would make a difference.
Bamba’s defensive impact
Firstly, while injuries have been an issue with Bamba, whose 2022-23 season was cut short because of an ankle injury, when he’s been in games, he’s going to be a high level rim protector. Bamba’s 7-foot frame and humungous 7-foot-10 wingspan have led to him sending away his share of interior looks over the years, where he made his presence felt there with the Orlando Magic before being dealt to the Lakers.
Bamba has averaged 1.3 blocks in 18.0 minutes per contest over his five-year career, and he’s posted 2.7 blocks per-36 minutes, with a block rate of 6.7 percent over that span.
If Cleveland were to sign Bamba this summer, provided he were to be on the market, they could be confident in non-Allen minutes with Bamba in there patrolling the paint for stretches on defense.
He can be a true rim deterrent in bench stretches, and his length in some lineups with Evan Mobley could provide Cleveland with another great shot altering player to have in the paint to cause hesitation from drivers.
Granted, the issue with Bamba has been he does have a tendency to get caught up at times and can take unnecessary fouls. He’s had 2.2 fouls per contest in his bench minutes, and 4.3 fouls per-36 minutes for his career.
With what Bamba brings as an interior defensive presence, though, for bench stretches his length and activity on the interior still could be crucial in giving Allen more meaningful rest, and in the playoffs, Bamba being a viable glass cleaner would help, too. He’s had a lifetime defensive rebounding rate of 25.1 percent.
How Bamba could help the Cavs offense
As for the offensive end of the floor, Bamba’s not nearly lived up to the hype that was surrounding him early on, but he has shown some stretch big capabilities that have been alluring. There could be some untapped potential still there, and a stretch 5, even for bench stretches, would be nice to have for Cleveland’s rotation.
Bamba has connected on 38.7 and 38.1 percent of his three-point attempts in the past two seasons, again, most of which came when he was with Orlando. In the 2021-22 campaign, he had his best season as a pro, also, and knocked on the aforementioned 38.1 percent from deep, on what was 4.0 attempts per game.
He did start in 69 of his 71 appearances in that season, which is something to keep in mind, however, the growth Bamba has demonstrated over time is what is especially appealing as a possible target.
Even if it’d be in bench lineups, Bamba has been a much-improved catch-and-shoot big, and he could feasibly be a pick-and-pop player in stretches with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and/or Caris LeVert, if LeVert returns.
From there, of course with his frame and being a capable athlete vertically, Bamba could function as a viable rolling and lob threat for Cleveland, too. He’s efficient at the rim, partly because of the size element, but he does have a large catch radius as well, and has good hands near there. Plus, Bamba’s a player who could be a factor on the offensive glass, too, which shouldn’t be discounted.
Now, as we alluded to earlier, Bamba is a player who has had injury issues in his career, and has played in 49, 46, 62 and 47 games in his other seasons aside from the 2021-22 campaign. Back and ankle ailments have been the culprits on a number of occasions.
All things considered, though, Bamba is still a player who could prove to be a quality two-way player to have for Cleveland’s rotation, and with it seemingly likely he’ll be on the market, the Cavs should consider signing him. Bamba could be a solid add for some of the Cavaliers’ $12.2 million Non-taxpayer Mid-Level Exception on a two-year deal, for example.