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Blazers: Should Biyombo be the Top Priority Free Agent?

By McLayne Bertsch

May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) smiles as he holds the ball at the end of a 105-99 win over Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) smiles as he holds the ball at the end of a 105-99 win over Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blazers should look hard at signing the Congolese center this offseason

No one earned more money for themselves in the past two weeks than Bismack Biyombo. He announced himself to the world with a 26 rebound game in a win versus the Cavaliers in game 3. While all general managers and hardcore NBA fans are aware of his breakout season, it was an incredible introduction to the casual fan. Biyombo followed it up with a block on a Kevin Love dunk attempt Monday night that was worthy of the ‘Mutumbo finger wag’ that followed. Before this series, Biyombo might have been a cheaper option than Hassan Whiteside or Dwight Howard – Now, it is unclear. Even if Biyombo is expensive, he could be the best option for the Trail Blazers.

Biyombo, who is of Congolese descent, was drafted in 2011 and quickly traded to the team formerly known as the Charlotte Bobcats. He was a project type of a draft prospect – one that would need several years of development. However, he never developed the way Charlotte would have liked. His role and play were inconsistent at best. After four years in Charlotte, Biyombo accepted a 2 year, $6 million offer to backup Jonas Valanciunas on the Toronto Raptors. After Biyombo’s recent breakout, it is almost guaranteed he will opt out of his second year to test the free agency market.

Biyombo’s season with the Raptors proved he has two skills that will keep him in the NBA for many years: Protecting the rim and rebounding. As the league increasingly emphasizes a ‘small-ball’ style with four shooters on the floor, it is absolutely necessary that the one big man on the floor can protect the rim and rebound. Because Biyombo can do these, he will garner quite an interest in the open market.

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Even though Biyombo’s blocks per 36 minutes haven’t noticed an improvement this year, the Raptors defense changes when he comes in the game. According to basketballreference.com, Biyombo played 46% of the total minutes for the Raptors this season. With Biyombo on the court, opponents scored 4.1 less points per 100 possessions. Actually, Biyombo has improved on this statistic in four straight seasons:

Season*Opponents scoring w/ Biyombo on floor
2015-2016-4.1
2014-2015-3.1
2013-2014-0.7
2012-2013+0.2
*Per 100 possessions

When you consider Biyombo is just 23 years old, he should continue this trajectory of improvement on defense.

The Portland Trail Blazers found their best basketball going a little smaller: starting Maurice Harkless at the 4. In the playoffs, the Blazers ran into some issues because their two big men have cannot shoot and have trouble protecting the rim. Unfortunately, Biyombo cannot shoot at this point in his career. However, he is a much better option to build a defense around than Mason Plumlee or Ed Davis.

Signing Biyombo this offseason is not exactly a guaranteed home-run. There is a reason he only received a 3 million-a-year offer from Toronto before the season. He adds virtually nothing on the offensive end. Also, it was widely speculated before he was drafted at age 18 that he was, in fact, 22. If Biyombo’s age was mistaken by four years, he would be 27 now. Although it’s not a deal breaker, a 27 year old center that offers nothing on the offensive end should not warrant a max contract. 

Next: Blazers: Going Center Shopping

If the Blazers do believe that Biyombo is just 23 years old, he might be a better option than Whiteside or Howard. Even though he does not put up gaudy block statistics, Biyombo’s defense is sound and improving. Howard is well past his prime and a chemistry nightmare. Whiteside also had his share off-the-court issues. Signing either of those two might be a risk to the team chemistry the Blazers were lauded for last season. Signing Biyombo will not be a massive news story, but it could be the best move for the Blazers to make this offseason.