OKC Thunder signing veteran center Bismack Biyombo to a minimum deal, per reports
The Oklahoma City Thunder added some frontcourt depth on Saturday, signing center Bismack Biyombo to reportedly a minimum contract.
Biyombo, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has played in 829 games in his 13-year career. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound center played in 30 games this season for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game.
OKC has been active as of late. It acquired forward Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets on trade deadline day Thursday for Tre Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic and two second-round draft picks.
OKC (35-16) is second in the Western Conference standings. It's set to face the Dallas Mavericks at 2 p.m. Saturday in Dallas.
Here are five things to know about Biyombo:
More: How OKC Thunder rookie Cason Wallace was built by Hamilton Park, Texas. 'That’s who I am'
The Oklahoma City Thunder are adding frontcourt depth, signing veteran center Bismack Biyombo to a minimum deal, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Biyombo averaged 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds over 30 games for Grizzlies this season. pic.twitter.com/LfKdD2DAXF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2024
Biyombo began his basketball career overseas
Born in Lubumbashi, Zaire, which is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Biyombo began his basketball career overseas.
He spent the 2009-10 season with Liga EBA's Fuenlabrada-Getafe, a fourth-tier team in Spain's basketball league system. Biyombo then moved to Liga ACB's Baloncesto Fuenlabrada, a first-tier team, in 2011.
Biyombo entered the 2011 NBA Draft and was picked seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings. They traded him to the Charlotte Bobcats, who are now the Hornets, later that night.
More: NBA trade deadline: What we know about Gordon Hayward, new OKC Thunder forward
Biyombo rose to prominence with the Toronto Raptors
After spending the first four seasons of his career with Charlotte, Biyombo signed a two-year, $5.7 million contract with the Toronto Raptors in 2015.
Biyombo became a breakout player during Toronto's 2015-16 playoff run. He averaged 6.2 points and 9.4 rebounds in the postseason, and the Raptors reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Biyombo declined his $2.9 million player option for the following season. He then signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Orlando Magic.
More: When will Gordon Hayward play for OKC Thunder? Not until after NBA All-Star Break
Biyombo's career plateaued in Orlando
Biyombo struggled to build on his breakout campaign with Toronto.
Despite only missing one game in his two seasons with Orlando, he only made a combined 52 starts. Biyombo averaged 5.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in 21 minutes per game during that time.
In order to get off his contract, which had two years and $34 million remaining, Orlando traded Biyombo and two second-round picks to Charlotte in 2018. Orlando received Timofey Mozgov and Jerian Grant in what was a three-team deal that also included the Chicago Bulls.
More: OKC Thunder signs Lindy Waters III to multi-year contract after NBA trade deadline moves
Biyombo reinvented himself as a cheap, serviceable center
Once his four-year, $72 million contract expired in 2020, Biyombo became a serviceable backup center for teams on a budget.
Biyombo landed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns during the 2021-22 season and ultimately signed with the team for the rest of the campaign. He averaged 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.
Biyombo also signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the start of this season. He averaged 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game.
Memphis then waived Biyombo on Jan. 10 to free up a roster spot for Vince Williams Jr., who signed a three-year, $7.9 million deal with the team.
More: OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks: How to watch, TV channel, odds, live score updates
Biyombo brings experience and rebounding to OKC
Biyombo, 31, is the second-oldest player on OKC's roster. He only trails Hayward, who's 33.
Aside from experience, Biyombo also brings a presence on the boards. He boasts an average of six rebounds in only 19.7 minutes per game throughout his 13-year NBA career.
Biyombo's rebounding prowess should come in handy for OKC, which is averaging 41.4 rebounds per game this season. That ranks 25th in the NBA.
—Justin Martinez, Staff writer
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder to sign Bismack Biyombo to minimum contract, per reports
