NOVEMBER 2: Following their fifth game of the season on Wednesday, the Grizzlies have moved Morant to the suspended list and officially signed Biyombo, the team confirmed in a press release (Twitter link).
Biyombo received a one-year, $5MM contract with a $1MM guarantee, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
OCTOBER 28: The Grizzlies will add veteran center Bismack Biyombo, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Memphis will be able to transfer Ja Morant to the suspended list after he serves five games of his 25-game suspension, and Charania suggests the signing will occur once that happens. The Grizzlies are off to an 0-3 start with upcoming games Monday against Dallas and Wednesday at Utah.
The 31-year-old Biyombo will provide an interior presence for a team playing without starting center Steven Adams, who will undergo knee surgery and miss the entire season. The Grizzlies are also missing backup center Brandon Clarke, who is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in March, and have been starting Xavier Tillman in the middle.
Biyombo is a free agent after spending the past two years in Phoenix. He got into 61 games last season, making 14 starts and averaging 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 14.3 minutes per night. He shot 57.8% from the field, but he brings a limited shooting range and hasn’t made a three-pointer in his career.
The Lakers reportedly considered signing Biyombo this summer, but opted for Christian Wood instead.
The Grizzlies have a full roster, so they can’t add Biyombo without cutting someone else until Morant is officially on the suspended list. They still have their entire $12.4MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception remaining, plus the $4.516MM bi-annual exception, if they want to offer Biyombo more than the veteran’s minimum salary, though it seems unlikely that will be necessary.
I like the idea but they need someone younger to bang down there all game.
Yeah, Someone like a Mitchell Robinson or a Robert Williams type of player.
Both Robinson and Williams got hurt as you typed that.
Trade Jake L and Gregory Jackson for a young C around the same age as Morant, bane and Jackson. Get Williams in the offense while Morant is out. Bismack can be the backup C. Trade for Wiseman – Jake L, Gregory Jackson and a pick for Wiseman
Wiseman would be a good big to try, give him the runway to make it. Heavily protected 1st that becomes 2 SRPs or maybe just 2 SRPs. They traded what 5 SRPs for him? I can’t see Detroit pulling the plug for 10 cents on the dollar.
Wiseman is not currently in the playing rotation for the Pistons despite Bogdanovic and Isaiah Livers being out injured.
Gregory Jackson is a 18 year old PF who can shoot, next to Duran is great. Jake L is meh and two 2nd for Wiseman is good enough for the pistons. I think it’s a win win for both teams. Wiseman needs a chance before he is treated like Okafor. If the pistons can draft Holland next year then they are golden and all set to compete for it all.(sign veterans to help). Trade Bagley for a defensive backup center. Trade bojan for draft capital so they can draft Holland.
Maybe if you’re a center drafted #1 or #2 Monty has an issue with you.
But I have seen some people saying Detroit is trying to undercut his value this offseason. I also doubt anyone expected Duren to start this hot.
Xavier Tillmon is doing what he can to hold down the 5 spot, but he needs help inside.
Jaren Jackson isn’t good with the physical stuff, and he can be foul prone which makes the loss of Steven Adams a huge blow.
Memphis needs Ja Morant back so Desmond Bane can slide back off the ball.
They irony of the DPoY being kinda soft.
Wiseman is from Memphis. It makes sense.