Raptors Sign Mo Bamba to One-Year Deal

The Toronto Raptors bolstered their frontcourt depth on Monday by signing veteran center Mo Bamba to a one-year contract, addressing a key need amid injuries to their starting big man. The 7-foot player, a former lottery pick, joins the team as Jakob Poeltl continues to recover from a lingering back injury that has limited him to just 21 games this season.

The Raptors announced the deal a day after initial reports surfaced, with terms undisclosed but described as non-guaranteed until January 10. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the agreement was confirmed by Bamba's representatives. The move provides immediate size and rim protection for a squad that has struggled without Poeltl, who stands at 7 feet himself. In his absence, the team has turned to smaller players at center, including star power forward Scottie Barnes, who measures 6-foot-8, and 6-foot-9 forward Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Bamba's addition comes at a pivotal time for Toronto, which improved to 19-14 with a 141-127 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. Barnes delivered a standout performance in that game, recording 23 points, a career-high 25 rebounds, and 10 assists for his seventh career...