Should the Charlotte Hornets Bring Back Bismack Biyombo?
Former Charlotte Hornets’ center, Bismack Biyombo, is having a great postseason run with the Toronto Raptors and he may be available in free agency this summer.
When the Charlotte Hornets let Bismack Biyombo walk in free agency this past summer, many fans didn’t think much of it. But now he is dominating in the Eastern Conference Finals with the Toronto Raptors. He could be a free agent this off-season, should the team bring him back for next season?
The Washington Post has reported that “Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo, a backup the entire regular season who is making $2.8 million for 2015-16, will surely opt out of his contract this summer and land a deal worth at least $16 million per year because of his breakout postseason, according to a league source.” Could Biz really be worth this much this off-season?
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It is pretty astounding to think that Biyombo may be paid as a top-tier big man in the league. Just a few years ago, Charlotte was wondering if he would ever develop into the player that they thought he could be. He struggled to find himself offensively in his early seasons with the Hornets.
He will only be 24-years old next season so a long-term contract wouldn’t be a bad idea. Bismack still has a lot of prime years still left in his career. He may also till be growing as an all-around player. He is becoming the players that the Hornets hoped he could be.
The Hornets decided not to extended a $4.1 million qualifying offer to Biyombo this past summer to make him a restricted free agent. Instead, he entered the open market and singed a 2-year/$6 million deal with the Raptors. That contract included a player option for the second season.
Many now expect Bismack to opt-out of his current contract and hit the open market once again. He has made himself a lot of money with his amazing play in the playoffs this year. Biyombo has become the prototypical center that every NBA team is now looking for.
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Biz averaged 5.5 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, and 1.6 blocks per game. He also shot 54.2% from the field in 22 minutes per game. Biyombo played in all 82 games this season. He really broke out in the postseason when starting center, Jonas Valanciunas, in the second round against the Miami Heat.
In the playoffs, Biyombo has averaged 6.3 points per game, 9.4 rebounds per game, and 1.4 blocks per game. He had a game where he put up a big double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Bismarck also had a game where he grabbed 26 rebounds.
He has the combination of athleticism, rebounding, and defensive ability. It doesn’t matter that his offensive game is still limited because he does the dirty work for whatever team he is on. It is surprising that the Charlotte Hornets didn’t bring him back for such a cheap price because he was exactly the player that the team needed this season.
The Hornets lacked an athletic big man who could rebound and defend the paint. General Manager, Rich Cho, has even said that the team may be targeting a player like that this summer. Bismack could’ve been the player that put the team over the hump and got them past the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs instead of losing in seven games.
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It will be interesting to see if the Charlotte Hornets go after Bismack this off-season because he fills the exact role that they need. But he will come with a high price tag so that may push the team away this summer. I for one, would love to see Biyombo back in a purple and teal jersey next year.