"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."
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.
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