Final Grade
Bismack Biyombo may never live up to the contract he signed back in 2016, but he needs to play better in 2019. His numbers dropped across the board and clearly played at a lower level in his second year with the team.
Bismack Biyombo had the chance to prove his worth in 2018 with Nikola Vucevic on the mend for a long stretch of the season. But Biyombo failed to cement his status and was again relegated to the bench unit. That was where his impact was further dulled and it was harder and harder to justify playing him.
As Orlando continued to struggle on defense, Frank Vogel and the rest of the coaching staff needed Bismack Biyombo to play like he did during the 2016 playoff run. Sadly, he has never played close to that caliber in Orlando and undrafted players like Khem Birch have sneaked into the lineup.
Magic fans know what to expect from the six-year veteran. Solid defensive performance and next to nothing offensively.
But his defensive impact needs to be more consistent. If Orlando is seeing similar success with Birch or another option on the floor, there is no reason to play Biyombo because of how little he brings on the other side of the floor.
Frankly, the Magic do not help Biyombo’s situation either.
The team has been clogged at center and do not have the perimeter defenders to take the pressure of off him defensively. Nor do they have the shooters to spread the floor and use his screening to get free. Instead he congests the space.
There is no way he can mold a role for himself as the roster is currently situated.
Offensively, his struggles are highlighted as well. The Magic do not have a true number one option and do not have the perimeter shooting they need.
Next: 2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Nikola Vucevic
And that leaves Biyombo at a disadvantage. The contract dominates the storyline with him. He cannot escape it. Now he and the Magic just have to make the most of what remains.