Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo blocks Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James. (Photo : Getty Images)
Recent reports have emerged that Raptors center Bismack Biyombo is willing to receive a lower salary than what he is expected to earn next season just to stay in Toronto.
Some NBA analysts speculated that the 23-year-old Congolese big man is set to earn more than $15 million annually this summer because of his strong performance in this year's playoffs. Biyombo filled in for injured starter Jonas Valanciunas late in the Heat series and then against the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The former Charlotte Hornets player produced averages of 8.2 points, 13.4 boards, and 2.1 shot blocks during the last ten playoff matches of Toronto, including an impressive 12.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game averages while Valanciunas was out.
His feat attracted the attention of several rebuilding clubs, particularly the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, both of which are more than capable of paying him the largest contract of his career, but the 6-foot-9 Lubumbashi, Congo native is said to be reluctant to change teams in the offseason.
ESPN indicated that Biyombo is so keen on remaining with the Raptors that he is willing to earn less just to stay with the club.
"Yeah, things can always be worked out," said Biyombo during a recent radio interview. "I've said that to my people, I've said that to (GM) Masai. When the right time comes I'd be open to figuring something out."
Biyombo has just finished the first season of his two-year, $5.7 million deal with the Raptors which comes with a player option at the end of the first year. If he opts out of the contract, he will become an unrestricted free agent this July and he is expected to receive huge offers from interested squads.
"At the end of the day it's for fun, not money. It's not always about money. Money is great, but at the same time I ask, 'How much fun am I going to have?' The city is great, the team is great, and we're winning," he added.
With Toronto presently an "over the cap" squad, it looks like Biyombo is set to miss a massive payday if he continues to think like that.
Lakers Nation noted that since the Raptors do not own his Bird Rights, then the team is not allowed to go over the cap to sign him. The largest that Toronto could give him is around $5.6 million next season, a non-taxpayer mid-level exception deal.
