Former 6th Overall NBA Draft Pick Waived By Utah Jazz—Again

He was selected No. 6 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He had just one promising season for the team, in his 4th year in 2021-22, before falling out of favor. Seven-foot center Mo Bamba was never able to really establish himself as a viable regular rotation player after that. 

He's averaged less than 15 minutes a game in stops with four other teams since then, and while he was in camp with the Utah Jazz this fall, he won't get a shot with them, as they waived him on Friday. He was on a non-guaranteed training camp deal and could potentially head to the Jazz's G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.

The Jazz are waiving Mo Bamba, per @MikeAScotto pic.twitter.com/0nre0moOHv

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 17, 2025

Bamba's last stop in the NBA was with the New Orleans Pelicans on a 10-day contract last year. He played just four games with them, and averaged 2.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in 15 minutes a night. They would not renew the contract. 

The Jazz acquired him last February in a trade with the LA Clippers, but waived him shortly thereafter. They brought him back into camp this fall on the non-guaranteed deal, but now have waived him for the second time in eight months. 

The Harlem, NY native was an intriguing prospect when he entered the league in 2018, and there have been high hopes for him at different times along his journey. His per-36 Minutes numbers tease an explosive defensive player if he could ever put it all together: 14.5 points per game, 11.7 boards and 2.7 blocked shots. Alas, he has never come anywhere close to earning himself 36 minutes a night. 

Overall, in seven NBA seasons, the raw numbers tell us that Bamba has averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. He's suited up for the Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Clippers, LA Lakers, and the Pelicans.

Photo: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images