The Toronto Raptors have moved to address a glaring need in their lineup, agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran centre Mo Bamba. The deal, announced on Monday, December 29, 2025, brings a seven-foot presence to a team that has been critically short on healthy big men.
Filling a Critical Roster Gap
The signing comes at a crucial time for the Raptors, who have been navigating the absence of starting centre Jakob Poeltl due to lingering back issues. Poeltl has missed five of the last six games and has appeared in only 21 contests this season. This left the team with a significant height deficit, relying heavily on players like Scottie Barnes to play out of position.
Bamba, 27, was most recently dominating in the NBA G League with the Salt Lake City Stars, where he averaged 16.5 points and 12 rebounds. He notably played a key role in ending the Raptors 905's impressive 16-game winning streak in the G League final. His performance demonstrated he could be an immediate contributor.
Bamba's Journey to Toronto
Selected sixth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2018 NBA Draft, Bamba is now in his eighth professional season. After his tenure in Orlando, the Harlem native has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans. Last season, across 32 games, he averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in limited minutes.
For his career, spanning 364 games, Bamba holds averages of 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. His defensive potential was evident early in his career; during his lone collegiate season at Texas, he averaged an impressive 3.7 blocks per game.
Contract Details and Roster Implications
The agreement is for the remainder of the season but comes with an important caveat: it is non-guaranteed until January 10, 2026. This effectively makes it a 12-day trial for both parties. If Bamba is waived by that date, the Raptors would avoid the full financial commitment, providing roster flexibility as the trade deadline approaches.
The move follows a standout performance from franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes, who recorded a historic 23-point, 25-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in an overtime win against the Golden State Warriors on December 28. While Barnes thrived at centre against a small Warriors lineup, the addition of Bamba provides a more natural and sustainable solution for the position.
With a record of 19-14, the Raptors are positioning themselves for a playoff push. The signing of Mo Bamba is a direct response to calls from analysts and fans alike for management to add size and balance to a roster that had only one player taller than 6-foot-9, who was also injured. The team is expected to update Poeltl's status before their next game against Bamba's original team, the Orlando Magic.
