10 Worst free agent signings in Orlando Magic history

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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 23: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

The 10 worst free agent signings in Orlando Magic history

1. Bismack Biyombo

4 years, $ 72 million in 2016

This is not a particularly close call. The Orlando Magic decided to hand a four-year, $72 million deal to a player who, at best, was an energetic rebounder and backup center. That is $18 million pra year for a player who would always be stuck behind Nikola Vucevic on the depth chart. And then probably behind Serge Ibaka after the magic acquired a third center on draft night.

Signing Biyombo just made no sense without a second move that never came as the Magic squandered their cap space following one of the worst trades in franchise history. They fell in love with a Playoff hero who proved to be a flash in the pan.

Biyombo’s prior contract was a two-year, $5.7-million pact with the Toronto Raptors. The Congolese big man played in every game for the Raptors that season, starting about a quarter of them. He averaged 5.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, making 62.8 percent of his free throws – the latter two numbers have proven to be career bests.

He made his mark with a strong postseason in 2016, averaging 6.2 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game in the Raptors’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Biyombo declined his player option for the second season, becoming a free agent. Once the Raptors re-signed DeMar DeRozan, they were priced out of keeping Biyombo. Perhaps they would have been anyways, considering what Orlando paid him.

He played two seasons with Orlando and, to his credit, played in almost every game he could have in that season. Biyombo averaged six points and seven rebounds per game in his first season and a matching 5.7 points and rebounds per game in his second. Then, it was over.

Orlando sent Biyombo back to the Charlotte Hornets, where the big man started his NBA career. The Magic received Jerian Grant and Timofey Mozgov in the three-team deal. Just like that, Biyombo’s contract was someone else’s problem.

Coincidentally, the worst free agent signing in franchise history has followed in a similar path to the player at the start of this list — Bismack Biyombo is playing for the Phoenix Suns today and may very well win a championship for his troubles.