Orlando Magic 2016 free agency, trade news: Frontcourt boosted with Bismack Biyombo acquisition
The Orlando Magic now have one of the best frontcourts in terms of defense after agreeing to a four-year deal with last season's surprise performer, center Bismack Biyombo.
Biyombo, who was a defensive spark for the Toronto Raptors in the previous season, will earn around $70 million with his new contract.
Magic's signing of Biyombo can be called a shocker considering his performance for Toronto last season, especially during the playoffs. The 23-year-old was doing a great job as a backup to Raptors starter Jonas Valančiūnas in the 2015-16 regular season.
Unfortunately, Valančiūnas went down due to injury late in their postseason run and Biyombo stepped up big time. In the Raptors' Eastern Conference Finals series versus reigning champions the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 6-foot-9 big man dominated the boards and was an efficient rim protector.
Biyombo's performance last season made him a target for a number of teams. Although after Toronto's season ended, he expressed the desire to stay with the squad from Canada.
It seems like things did not work out and now Biyombo is going to play for Orlando.
The addition of Biyombo just gave the Magic one of the most dangerous frontcourts in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Before Biyombo, the Magic, in a trade deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, acquired Serge Ibaka who like the former is a blocking machine.
Aside from Ibaka, Orlando also reached an agreement with veteran Jeff Green who is an all-around contributor.
So far, this off-season is turning out to be a successful one for the Magic. Biyombo is coming off his best season yet in a young career and may still improve. Ibaka and Green, on the other hand, are already playoff veterans who can guide the rebuilding franchise to a better result in the 2016-17 season.