Phoenix Suns sign veteran C Bismack Biyombo to 10-day hardship deal
Dec 31, 2021, 8:37 PM | Updated: Jan 1, 2022, 2:24 pm
Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo dunks over Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Phoenix Suns have signed yet another hardship addition Saturday, as they’ve agreed to sign center Bismack Biyombo on a 10-day contract.
Phoenix has held one open roster spot this year, and the deal could be a “prelude to a longer stay this season,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski adds.
The seventh overall pick in 2011, Biyombo has played for Charlotte in two stints (2011-15, 2018-21), as well as Toronto (2015-16) and Orlando (2016-18).
He has career averages of 5.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 20.1 minutes per game.
Last year with the Hornets, Biyombo averaged 5.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 58% from the field.
The Suns currently have centers Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee, plus forward Jae Crowder, under health and safety protocols. Head coach Monty Williams is also away from the team in COVID-19 protocols.
Having lost those players, Phoenix has added forward Emanuel Terry, guard M.J. Walker and forward Paris Bass on hardship deals. The Suns have reportedly also agreed to sign wing Justin Jackson.
Under an altered Collective Bargaining Agreement rule as COVID-19 cases rose in December, the NBA made it a requirement for teams to add players to 10-day deals once multiple rostered players are placed in health and safety protocols.
