Bismack Biyombo agrees to re-sign with Phoenix Suns
Jul 2, 2022, 9:25 AM | Updated: Jul 5, 2022, 1:35 pm
Bismack Biyombo #18 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on March 27, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Unrestricted free agent Bismack Biyombo agreed to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the team announced.
The news was first announced by Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes on Saturday.
Biyombo was a valuable depth piece in Phoenix’s center rotation last year, averaging 5.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The Suns signed Biyombo to a 10-day hardship exemption contract at the turn of the new year during the league’s COVID-19 outbreak that forced teams to sign free agents in order to have enough active bodies to play.
Biyombo’s arrival came during a period in which Phoenix did not have Deandre Ayton, JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky or Dario Saric available due to the virus or injury.
The 29-year-old immediately showed why he’s now got 11 NBA seasons to his name, recording 11 points and six rebounds in his Suns debut on Jan. 2 and then posting 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks two days later in 29 minutes.
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Biyombo found immediate chemistry with Suns point guard Chris Paul in pick-and-roll situations where he quickly moved ahead of second-year center Jalen Smith in the rotation.
A week later, the Suns officially signed Biyombo through the rest of the season with their last remaining roster spot. That proved to be a wise move, as Biyombo provided a more mobile alternative defensively to McGee. Head coach Monty Williams would turn to Biyombo occasionally with certain matchups and Biyombo played well with those chances.
Biyombo was coming off his last year with the Charlotte Hornets the season prior and had not signed with a team yet while he was still dealing with the loss of his father in August. Biyombo had said he turned down other offers while waiting for the right fit to come at the right time and he felt that was Phoenix.
The veteran was originally drafted seventh overall by the Hornets in 2011. He played his first four seasons there before one with the Toronto Raptors, two on the Orlando Magic and three more in Charlotte before his time with the Suns.
McGee reportedly signed a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, while Ayton is a restricted free agent.
