The NBA trade deadline feels like a distant memory at this time. Many urged the San Antonio Spurs to sign another big man to back up Victor Wembanyama. Finally, nothing came to fruition. The Spurs were left with a backup big man rotation that has struggled throughout the season. After Charles Bassey and Wembanyama sustained injuries, San Antonio was obliged to locate an improvement.
Enter Bismack Biyombo, a 32-year-old veteran who has been a major contributor to a tenacious Spurs club. Biyombo has been thrown into the starting lineup, providing a boost of energy and inside defense. He’s been precisely what San Antonio needed to end the season, and he could be the player they need to back up Wembanyama in the future.
Biyombo’s figures do not pop off the page. He averages 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and one block per 17.7 minutes. Biyombo’s value is derived from the tiny things he accomplishes. He’s a reliable screener and roller. He and Chris Paul are rediscovering some of the chemistry they had while playing together in Phoenix. He’s a physical defender who can protect the rim and is ready to battle on the defensive glass. You aren’t asking him to do much more than that. He’s your typical rim-running, dirty work big guy, which is precisely what the Spurs need.
Nobody in the league can match what Wembanyama does. That’s why the transition to the backup center is so abrupt. During the Wemby era, San Antonio’s backup bigs have struggled to produce regular performances. Zach Collins was too unreliable as a floor spacer to be productive offensively, and Bassey has ups and downs when he does play. They need to find a stable center that does not harm them. An enthusiastic rim runner who can clear up the glass is an excellent choice.
When Wembanyama sits, the Spurs can count on a backup five who still provides rim protection, does not get crushed on the boards, and simply finishes offensive plays, whether on dump-offs or in the pick-and-roll.
Is Biyombo a long-term solution? Perhaps not. He is 32 years old, but he has definitely demonstrated that he still belongs in the NBA. He’s definitely not the best choice three to four years from now, but if he can continue to play at this level next season, he’d be one of the best value possibilities the Spurs could find at the position.
San Antonio will have other, more expensive free-agent possibilities to examine. Myles Turner, Brook Lopez, and Naz Reid are solid possibilities that can provide Biyombo’s floor spacing and more. However, with minimal cap space, the Spurs would have to offer one of them a discount or conduct a sign-and-trade. Other fascinating free agent names include Chris Boucher, Precious Achiuwa, and Larry Nance Jr. The hope with such guys is that they can play alongside Wembanyama in short stints, utilizing their versatility in ways that Biyombo most likely cannot.
They could improve their position in the draft. Georgia big man Asa Newell is an intriguing possibility, averaging 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. He should be available in the late-lottery area, where the Spurs could select. Thomas Sorber of Georgetown is another freshman to keep a watch on, averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. If San Antonio decides to wait until the second round to add a big man, keep an eye on Florida’s Alex Condon and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner. However, those players will be less prepared to help than Biyombo or another veteran.
What the Spurs do ultimately depends on how much they respect the position. If Wembanyama is your future center, and the way forward is to play rangy wings and forwards around him (as all signs point to), is it a good idea to devote valuable resources to his backup? In that situation, is it wiser to look for less expensive but more effective backup centers, such as Biyombo?
Biyombo’s presence has demonstrated that he, or a big guy like him, can bring significant value to the Spurs. The question for this summer is whether his performance earns him another deal as their backup big man next season, or if he exemplifies the type of center they want to invest in going future.
The NBA trade deadline seems like a distant memory at this point. Many people wanted the San Antonio Spurs to add another big man to back up Victor Wembanyama. Nothing came to fruition. The Spurs were left with a backup big man rotation that had struggled all season. After Charles Bassey and Wembanyama were injured, San Antonio was forced to find an improvement.
Enter Bismack Biyombo, a 32-year-old veteran who has made significant contributions to a feisty Spurs team. Biyombo has been added to the starting lineup, giving the team more energy and defensive depth. He’s been exactly what San Antonio needed at the conclusion of the season, and he might be the man to back up Wembanyama in the future.
Biyombo’s stats don’t jump off the page. He averages 6.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and one block in 17.7 minutes. Biyombo’s importance stems from the small things he performs. He is a reliable screener and roller. He and Chris Paul are regaining the chemistry they had when they played together in Phoenix. He’s a strong defender who can protect the rim and compete on the defensive boards. You’re not asking him to do much more than that. He’s your standard rim-running, dirty work big man, which is exactly what the Spurs require.
Nobody in the league can equal Wembanyama’s performance. That explains why the transfer to the backup center is so abrupt. During the Wemby era, San Antonio’s backup bigs struggled to deliver consistent performances. Zach Collins was too inconsistent as a floor spacer to be effective offensively, and Bassey has ups and downs when he does play. They need to find a stable core that will not harm them. An energetic rim runner who can clear the glass is a great option.
When Wembanyama sits, the Spurs have a backup five who still provides rim protection, does not get crushed on the boards, and simply finishes offensive plays, whether on dump-offs or pick-and-rolls.
Is Biyombo the long-term solution? Maybe not. He is 32 years old, but he has clearly proved that he still belongs in the NBA. He’s not the ideal pick three to four years from now, but if he can maintain his current level of performance next season, he’d be one of the finest value options the Spurs could find at the position.
San Antonio will have other, more expensive free agency options to consider. Myles Turner, Brook Lopez, and Naz Reid are all viable options that can provide Biyombo’s floor spacing and more. However, with limited cap space, the Spurs would have to offer one of them a discount or engage in a sign-and-trade. Other intriguing free agent names include Chris Boucher, Precious Achiuwa, and Larry Nance Jr. The hope with such players is that they may play alongside Wembanyama for brief periods of time, utilizing their versatility in ways that Biyombo most likely cannot.
They could enhance their draft position. Asa Newell, a Georgia big man, is an intriguing prospect, averaging 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. He should be available in the late lottery, where the Spurs might make their selection. Another freshman to watch is Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, who averages 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. If San Antonio decides to wait until the second round to draft a big man, look out for Florida’s Alex Condon and Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner. However, those guys will be less eager to assist than Biyombo or another veteran.
The Spurs’ actions are ultimately determined by their level of respect for the position. If Wembanyama is your future center and the way forward is to play rangy wings and forwards around him (as all signals indicate), is it wise to invest important money in his backup? In that case, would it be better to search for a less expensive but more effective backup center, such as Biyombo?
Biyombo’s presence has proved that he, or another big man like him, can add substantial value to the Spurs. The question for this summer is whether his performance earns him a new contract as their backup big man next season, or if he typifies the type of center they want to invest in in the future.
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