2019 Outlook
There is no getting around the albatross around Bismack Biyombo’s neck. The thing that weighs down expectations and ties up the Orlando Magic’s future.
Biyombo will be entering the third year of a four-year deal that pays him $17 million per year. About the only saving grace is that final year is a player option. So there remains the possibility Biyombo could opt out before 2020.
But do not hold your breath.
The reality is Orlando is going to find it very hard to trade Biyombo and get much value. No one wants to pay $17 million per year for a guy with dubious defensive impact and about five points per game. The Magic are paying for their mistakes still and no one is going to bail them out. Not for a favorable situation.
There were those rumors in February that the New York Knicks had some interest in bringing in Biyombo. It would only require the Magic to take on Joakim Noah‘s contract — the guy owed $37.8 million the next two seasons, fully guaranteed. And Noah is not even playing right now.
It does not seem like trading Biyombo is much of an option. Some have suggested possibly using the stretch provision on Biyombo. That would cost the Magic a $6.8 million cap hit over the next five years.
That option does not seem palatable either. And so the Magic may just be riding things out with Biyombo for another year, at least. They just have to hope a new coach will be able to get more out of Biyombo than the previous coaches.
With change likely coming elsewhere in the roster, Orlando may use Biyombo more as a starter and hope that will unlock the potential Rob Hennigan saw when he signed him to that gargantuan contract.
That is probably the optimist’s view. The realistic view is Biyombo may fight for starter’s minutes, but really be relegated to the bench and continue to be the hit or miss player who cannot possibly live up to that contract.