After an active trade deadline that included the addition of Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it seeked out one more move to round out its roster before All-Star weekend: Signing Bismack Biyombo.
The backup center position has been a point of emphasis throughout the season that Oklahoma City needed to address, so when it couldn't make it happen through a trade, it seeked out the free agent market.
Sitting there was Biyombo, a 13-season veteran that most recently played for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. While he's never been more than a role player, that's exactly what the Thunder needed at its current state.
The 31-year-old stands at 6-foot-8, but his 7-foot-7 wingspan is his best attribute. It allows him to be an effective rebounder and strong interior defender even at a smaller height, and offensively he's an efficient scorer at the rim as well as a solid pick-and-roll option.
He won't be required to play heavy minutes on an already deep Oklahoma City roster, but having the option to play him in stretches will be nice to have for head coach Mark Daigneault and his staff, especially when it comes to the playoffs. Chet Holmgren will be reaching the playoffs already in his rookie year, and while he's had a fantastic season, it becomes a whole different game.
That's not to say Holmgren will struggle, but in situations where the Thunder needs rebounding and energy, Biyombo can do exactly that. Saramento Kings guard Malik Monk has described him as an "energy vet", which is all Oklahoma City can ask for.
That's not to say the rookie and vet can't play together, either. Certain matchups —most notably the Minnesota Timberwolves — might require a big lineup to keep up in the rebounding department, and both Holmgren and Biyombo could co-exist in those situations. Holmgren's 3-point shooting ability allows Biyombo's limited offensive capabilities to be null, keeping the floor plenty spaced.
Biyombo is expected to officially join the rotation after All-Star weekend wraps up, potentially taking over the backup center spot over Jaylin Williams. A significant impact can't exactly being expected from the addition, but at the bare minimum, he's another player the Thunder can experiment with and use to help its youth adjust to playoff basketball.
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