Don't sign Bismack Biyombo, we already have Jordan Mickey
Bismack Biyombo had a great postseason, let’s just get that out of the way first. I’ve always liked Biyombo and when he was drafted to Charlotte, I thought “he could be the next Serge Ibaka!”
While his stint in Charlotte wasn’t very impressive, his first (and likely last) season in Toronto has been a career renaissance for the 23 year old power forward. He was so good in the playoffs for the Raptors, that even Bill Simmons was clamoring for the Celtics to pursue him in free agency this summer.
Bismack is now a max guy. I want the Celtics to give him 200 million for 4 years.— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 24, 2016
"Bismack - we are thinking 45 mill in year one, then 48 mill, 52 mill and 55 mill in year 4. Sign here." --Danny Ainge on July 1st.— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 24, 2016
But for as good as Biyombo is on defense and on the boards, two things Boston needs so desperately at the power forward position, it would be huge mistake to chase Biyombo’s signature.
Why one might ask? Because the Celtics already have a Biyombo. He just goes by the name of Jordan Mickey.
Biyombo: 6-foot-9, 245 lbs. 23 years old.
Mickey: 6-foot-8, 235 lbs. 21 years old.
Mickey and Biyombo, for starters, are basically the same from a physical standpoint. Sure, Biyombo may have a bit more speed and and vertical, but Mickey has a much higher basketball IQ at this point in time. They are both defense anchors, capable of blocking shots and grabbing rebounds and although he has only had limited time on the court, Mickey has proven that he can block shots with regularity.
I don’t think that Danny Ainge will go after Biyombo for this very reason. They already signed Mickey to the largest rookie deal ever for a second round pick (4-year, $5 million) so obviously Ainge and Brad Stevens have great faith in his potential.
During summer league last year, Mickey averaged 12.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, proving his ability his ability to battle on the board and became a low-post option on offense.
If Biyombo was going to come cheap, maybe things would change but seeing as he can make a lot more money by opting out his contract this summer, it’s unlikely that my opinion will waver.
Sources say Bismack Biyombo, meanwhile, will decline his $2.9 million option for 2016-17 by June 4 to be an unrestricted free agent July 1.— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 28, 2016
The floor figure teams are throwing around for Bismack Biyombo's free agency, thanks to the magical Cap Spike of 2016, is a cool $15 million— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 28, 2016
Let’s not get sucked into spending money just because we have it. Al Horford and Kevin Durant are the players in play this summer for Boston and there’s no room for Biyombo on this roster, especially if the Celtics are looking to bring Mickey into the fold next season.
Photo: Courtesy of Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports
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