Jazz reunite with former lottery pick Mo Bamba on reported two-year deal
The Utah Jazz continued to reshape their roster this offseason, highlighted by the addition of top draft prospect Darryn Peterson, who is expected to play a key role in the franchise’s future. At the same time, the team moved on from center Walker Kessler.
Kessler was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal that brought Utah two future first-round draft picks and two first-round pick swaps, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
After dealing away their starting center, the Jazz quickly addressed the position. The front office, led by Danny Ainge, re-signed veteran Jusuf Nurkic to a two-year contract, added Jaxson Hayes on another two-year deal, and has now brought back another experienced big man.
Mo Bamba returning to Utah
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that free-agent center Mo Bamba has agreed to a two-year contract with the Jazz after the team waived him in March. Financial terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.
“Free agent center Mo Bamba has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X.
Bamba previously joined Utah on a 10-day contract in early March, appearing in two games and averaging 5.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block per contest.
Before his brief stint with the Jazz, the former No. 6 overall pick spent time with the Toronto Raptors, where he played in two games before being released in January.
Although Bamba has yet to fully live up to the expectations that came with being selected sixth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, he has flashed his potential throughout his career. His best season came with the Orlando Magic, where he averaged 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks as a full-time starter.
Since being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 campaign, Bamba has also had stops with the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and now returns to Utah for another opportunity.
Fans react to Bamba’s return
The signing generated a range of reactions across X, with many Jazz fans expressing optimism about the move.
One fan called it a “revenge tour” for Bamba, while NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor joked that it was “a beautiful day for Bambalievers.”
Others viewed the signing as a low-risk addition, noting that Bamba provides rim protection and floor spacing while likely filling the team’s third center role. Several fans also praised Utah’s overall offseason, calling the acquisition another smart depth move.
According to Charania, Bamba’s new contract was negotiated by agents Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports and Greer Love of Lenox Partners.
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