It was most certainly a season to remember for both the fans as well as the players and staff of the Toronto Raptors organization as the team was part of a playoff run for the first time since 2001 while having achieved tremendous new heights for the first time ever along the way. 

In a massive turn of events, the team did what nobody saw coming as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the very first time en route to what ended up in elimination against the Cleveland Cavaliers after six hard fought games, however, having been played with heart, Bismack Biyombo was among those thankful to have gotten the opportunity to play the game he loves in a country devoted to the sport. 

Biyombo joined the Raptors back in July of 2015 after having been signed off free agency following one of his not so good seasons with the Charlotte Hornets as it became fairly obvious a change was very much needed, starting what would be known as the start of a new era while heading in the right direction.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports was first to report the news as the two sides had initially agreed to terms on a two-year, $6MM contract.

Bismack Biyombo faces off against the Indiana Pacers. (Michael Conroy/AP)
Bismack Biyombo faces off against the Indiana Pacers. (Michael Conroy/AP)

How did the center/forward fair the 2015 season?

From the time Biyombo touched down in Toronto, it was a season to remember from the very start as he broke out right away, having played in a total of 82 games, 22 of which he started to go alongside a total of 1808 minutes while recording 424 points, 156 of which came on field goals.

On Saturday, the entire team had a chance to speak with the local media where thoughts were expressed as to the hard work of each player as well as a thank you to the fan base which has grown tremendously over recent weeks. Head coach Dwayne Casey stands atop those who believe in what is to come as he recently said, "We had a special locker room." He also expressed the fact of which the organization is working towards "building something special."

When Biyombo had the chance to speak, he said, "I love it up here. I would love to be back here. The love that the fans have given me and my teammates, you can't describe it."

DeMar DeRozan flashes his jersey with the Toronto Raptors. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
DeMar DeRozan flashes his jersey with the Toronto Raptors. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

What else in brewing in Raptors nation?

Looking onwards, it has been a question of late as to the future of DeMar DeRozan while he has been an ongoing topic of conversation.

As for how he has been looked at, it has been nothing but negativity as there is the opinion which repeatedly states he should be heading elsewhere and among the places which have come up in talks includes the  Los Angeles Lakers as they could use a solid contribution such as himself.

Raptors GM Masai Ujiri spoke with the local media on Monday afternoon where several topics were brought up which include the fact of which bringing DeRozan back to Toronto remains his number one priority while he will look to bring Biyombo back also if he is successful in the first of what is likely to turn into several different tasks over the course of the offseason.

Biyombo had the chance to speak personally with Andrew Walker on Sportsnet 590 The Fan where he went into further elaboration while mentioning that he would welcome a hometown discount to return to the Raptors, assuming there will be an offer coming soon, however, as it stands right now, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after ESPN's Marc Stein reported on Saturday that Biyombo would decline his club option by June 4 after turning down his player option valued at $2.9MM.

As for his asking price, Stein also reports that his asking price will start at $15MM which could make the return of DeRozan a little more challenging as they will have to go into the luxury tax when a max contract has been agreed to as he is expected to opt-out of what currently remains. As noted by Steven Loung of Sportsnet.ca, this is not something Ujiri has done in the past and is unclear at the moment if he is willing to do so.

Taking a look back at the Eastern Conference Finals, the 23-year-old finished with an average of 6.3 points to go alongside 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 19 games as his defense was top-notch until the very end.

History could bring itself back to Toronto when the upcoming season reaches its peak as said by Biyombo, "I think we have some unfinished business."

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