The Magic aren’t likely to extend a qualifying offer to center Mo Bamba, setting him up to become an unrestricted free agent, per Khobi Price of the Orlando Sentinel.
Bamba, 24, is 7-foot-0 and averaged career-highs of 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in 71 appearances last season. But after the Magic selected center/forward Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 overall pick, Bamba’s opportunities would likely be limited in Orlando.
The Lakers, Knicks, Heat, Timberwolves, Raptors and Rockets are all expected to have an interest in Bamba in free agency, Price reported. The same goes for the Bulls, per former NBA GM Ryan McDonough, who said that Chicago is looking for a rim protector.
The free agency negotiating period begins Thursday evening.
As an aside, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported that the Magic have interest in Clippers free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein.
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