Mo Bamba signed a one-year deal with Toronto as a center option, not necessarily an elite game-changer. He debuted December 29 against Orlando, playing four minutes and recording one block, showing shot-blocking and paint presence. Expectations for a larger role arose for the New Year's Eve game versus Denver, where opposing bigs were limited. Despite an 11-man rotation, Bamba was a DNP - Coach's Decision and did not receive extended minutes. Several bench players underperformed, and a turnover by Gradey Dick prompted his removal, suggesting minutes could have been redistributed to evaluate Bamba more fully.
"Going into the final 2025 game for Toronto on New Year's Eve against Denver, I thought Bamba might carve out a larger role for the Raptors going forward. With Toronto as clear favorites heading in, it seemed like a good opportunity to give Bamba extended minutes - especially since Denver only had Jonas Valanciunas and DaRon Holmes as their true bigs available."
"Alas, Mo Bamba received a DNP - Coach's Decision at the game's end, despite Darko Rajakovic going deep into his roster and running an 11-man rotation. During the Nuggets game, after Gradey Dick was subbed in and committed a costly turnover, he was quickly taken off in favor of Jamison Battle -whose own minutes are always uncertain - playing just six minutes against Denver. Additionally, across the rotation, the usually reliable Sandro Mamukelashvili struggled with his shot, as did Ja'Kobe Walter, and even Jamal Shead."
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