9. Mo Bamba
The Sixers signed Bamba to a minimum contract last summer to compete for their backup center role. Joel Embiid will handle the majority of the minutes and determine the team’s success, but Philly wants to have a capable reserve for when he misses time.
Bamba failed to grab that role. Embiid played just 39 regular season games, but Paul Reed was the team's number two. Bamba enter the rotation when the superstar missed time, but he averaged just 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 13.0 minutes per game for the season. The seven-footer never left the bench in the playoffs and was an afterthought when the former MVP was healthy.
The sixth overall pick in 2018 has zero reasons to return to the Sixers. He should be entering his prime and wants to play. Bamba has struggled to find minutes in multiple stops, but certainly won’t be playing over or next to Embiid. There are several franchises with more run available at the five than the 76ers.
Expect Philadelphia to be in the market for a reserve big man this summer as Mo Bamba moves on. Finding a gem willing to accept a minimum contract could be massive as the team searches for depth and versatility around their stars.