The NBA playoffs saw some would-be free agents increase their stock, and no one did a better job than Bismack Biyombo.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, Biyombo took advantage of the opportunity presented to him when starter Jonas Valanciunas got injured.
Biyombo still has a lot of limitations in his game but he presented a lot to work with. His strength, athleticism and tenacity will serve a team who will run quick plays and not expect post-up offense will get their money's worth.
With Luke Walton at the helm, the Lakers could employ a fast-paced offense akin with the Warriors, with the center position usually tasked with defense and rebounding, feeding off putbacks and drop passes from their other scorers. Biyombo fits that to a "T."
The projections for Biyombo could reach as high as S17 million according to Sporting News. Quoting an anonymous Eastern Conference GM, there are teams willing to pay the Raptors' back up big that much.
"For someone like (Biyombo), I think when you look at a guy like Tyson Chandler and what he got from Phoenix last summer (four years, $52 million), that's where you start for a contract," one Eastern Conference GM told Sporting News. "But you factor in the cap spike and it's probably going to be high, I'd say, $16-17 million. It'll be a heck of a $17 million-per-year gamble."
The Lakers have cap space to gamble and a need at center. They are expected to go hard after Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat but Pat Riley is working hard to keep him despite not having his Bird Rights.
While the Heat will be pushed to pick their priorities, Whiteside is a starting center while Biyombo is a back up to a young and capable starter. Jonas Valanciunas just signed a long-term contract that will pay him an average of 16 million for four years. If they pay Biyombo $17 million, the team would be spending $33 million at the center position.
Biyombo has been quoted to take a "hometown discount" to stay with the Raptors but the reality is that he mentioned that while still under the euphoria of the Conference Finals. When he sits down with his agent and talks about the figures (he may not yet be aware of just how high offers from other teams could reach) he might have a change of heart.
The other important question is whether the Raptors are keen on keeping him. Sportsnet Canada had ominous words about Bismack's future on their team.
"Toronto might very well lose Bismack Biyombo, who I'm hearing could be the first contract signed this summer that really surprises people. After the success the Raptors had in the playoffs, the market is just taking off for Bismack. Once he comes off the board, it will be interesting to see what the Raptors do."
It appears that GM Masai Ujiri has other plans and ready to move forward from Biyombo. The Raptors have a very good team but admittedly not good enough to topple LeBron and the Cavs. They can't spend all their money without improving as that will not change the results.
Toronto's loss could be LA's gain. If the Lakers gather intel that the Heat will keep Whiteside, they could be the team that takes Biyombo off the board early.