The Toronto Raptors have waived center Mo Bamba just eight days after signing the former lottery pick, according to Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy.
Bamba, 27, joined Toronto on Monday of last week to bolster front-court depth while starting center Jakob Poeltl recovers from a back injury. The 6’10” big man appeared in only two games for the Raptors—logging four minutes against Orlando and 93 seconds of garbage time versus Atlanta—before being let go.
The move comes ahead of the NBA’s league-wide salary-guarantee deadline. Because Bamba’s deal was non-guaranteed, Toronto is responsible for just $194,771, covering nine days on the active roster and two days on waivers.
Strong G League Showing
Before signing with the Raptors, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft had been excelling in the G League. Playing for the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah’s affiliate, he averaged 16.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks across 14 appearances to open the 2025-26 campaign.
Possible 10-Day Return
NBA teams are now permitted to use standard 10-day contracts, and league observers believe Toronto could bring Bamba back on such a deal once he clears waivers. Head coach Darko Rajakovic said Monday that Poeltl is taking contact and working through reconditioning, but his exact return timeline remains uncertain.
In Poeltl’s absence, Toronto has relied on a small-ball starting lineup featuring rookie Collin Murray-Boyles as the de facto center, with Sandro Mamukelashvili providing minutes off the bench.
Bamba is the second veteran center on a non-guaranteed contract to be released this week, joining former Pacers big man Tony Bradley.
Source: Hoops Rumors
