NBA Free Agency: Orlando Magic Giving Bismack Biyombo $70 Million


The Orlando Magic are signing Bismack Biyombo to a four-year contract worth $70 million, as reported by ESPN. After a good stint with the Toronto Raptors during the NBA Playoffs, Biyombo is about to receive a much bigger role with the Magic and a much bigger paycheck as well.

Being in the right place at the right time can prove to be highly beneficial to people. When Jonas Valanciunas was injured, the Toronto Raptors needed someone to fill in at the starting center position. Bismack Biyombo happened to be the guy, and he played well enough to earn the attention of other NBA teams.

With the record rise in the salary cap in the NBA, many consider it a value that Bismack Biyombo can be signed for less than $20 million a season. Contracts are going to be much higher than they used to be because players are getting a bigger share of the money.

The Orlando Magic are going to have one of the best interior defenses in the NBA, according to CBS Sports. Serge Ibaka, who was recently acquired in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Bismack Biyombo are both gifted at protecting the rim, so opposing guards are going to have a very hard time scoring in the paint.

Very few teams in the NBA have been as busy as the Orlando Magic this off season. One of the first deals that was made in the league was the Magic signing DJ Augustin. The veteran guard brings a lot of depth and experience to the back court.

Jodie Meeks was also acquired by the Orlando Magic to provide even further depth in the back court. The veteran shooter was injury prone during his two seasons with the Detroit Pistons, but the Magic are hoping that he can be healthy enough to help them.

Serge Ibaka [Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]
Another player signed by the Orlando Magic was Jeff Green, as reported by ESPN. The 29-year-old veteran can play small forward and power forward. Aside from his versatility, Green is also bringing some leadership to a very young roster.

The arrival of Bismack Biyombo brings more excitement than Jodie Meeks and Jeff Green. However, he still needs to earn the starting center position, despite being paid $70 million. The Orlando Magic still have Nikola Vucevic on the roster, so there’s no guarantees that Biyombo will be in the starting lineup.

Free agent signings don’t always work out. Anyone in the NBA can tell you that. However, for a team like the Orlando Magic that has been looking to make the jump, risks need to be taken. If Bismack Biyombo works out, then they could see themselves back in the playoffs.

Nikola Vucevic [Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images]
As for the Toronto Raptors, the franchise could turn to Pau Gasol as a replacement for Bismack Biyombo, according to FanSided. Gasol would bring more of a veteran presence. He’s also someone that has won the NBA Championship before.

Since he is close to the end of his NBA career, Pau Gasol is looking for an opportunity to be a part of the rotation of a team that can contend for a championship. Toronto is also a very culturally diverse city, which might be appealing to an international player like Gasol. The challenge of trying to get past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers might also be appealing as well.

The Toronto Raptors braced themselves for the departure of Bismack Biyombo. His signing with the Orlando Magic did not come as a shock to anyone in the NBA.

[Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images]

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