A Royal Pain
Fansided

3 rim protector targets that could improve the Kings interior defense

By Brandon Morneault

Mason Plumlee #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Mason Plumlee #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Mo Bamba.
Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Mo Bamba. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Rim protectors that could improve the Kings interior defense: No. 3 Mo Bamba

This may be the most interesting potential deal out there, and probably my favorite. = It was reported last month that the Orlando Magic are willing to wheel and deal (a yearly tradition) most of the expiring contracts on the roster. He isn’t on an expiring deal, but one of the more intriguing names is Mo Bamba, a 5th-year center out of the University of Texas.

Bamba has been a solid contributor for the Magic over the past few years, as last year he put up a career-high 10.6 points and six rebounds per game. This year his minutes per game has declined as a result of the play from Bol Bol and Wendell Carter, making him a prime trade candidate.

Bamba has sat around a block and a half his entire career, and would surely be an upgrade over Holmes, Metu and company. The Kings are currently allowing about 55 points per game in the paint, which is 28th in the league. Obviously, this needs to be addressed before the late stretch. One long losing streak could put any team in jeopardy, especially with how close all the teams are in the West.

I’m not entirely sure what the package would look like when it comes to acquiring Bamba, but he carries a 10.3-million-dollar contract into 2024. The most likely scenario would be Richaun Holmes and maybe a few late picks. I personally wouldn’t overpay for Bamba, but he’d be a fantastic security blanket for Sabonis.

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