Just a day after signing DeMar DeRozan to a max five-year, $145-million deal, the Toronto Raptors decided to let the unrestricted free-agent center Bismack Biyombo walk and sign with the Orlando Magic on a four-year deal.

It was reported by Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press, that the 23-year-old center agreed to sign with the Orlando Magic on a four-year deal. Later details followed by ESPN's Marc Stein states that Bismack Biyombo's contract is on a four-year term, hovering around $70-million.

Biyombo cannot officially sign the contract after the July moratorium is over on July 7.

Last month, Biyombo declined his $2.9-million player option to become an unrestricted free agent and to work out a long-term extension with the Raptors. In return, Biyombo was asking for $15-17-millon a year and after signing DeRozan on a max-deal, it just wasn't enough for General Manager Masai Ujiri to retain Biyombo.

Biyombo agreeing to this contract comes as a shock as he said that he will be patient with the Toronto Raptors in figuring out DeRozan's contract situation. With just a day after signing DeRozan, the Raptors did not have enough cap space to give Biyombo the money he wants.

Bismack Biyombo's Rise

It was expected that Biyombo would earn the money that he wanted because of his stellar performance in last season's playoffs. In the regular-season, he averaged 5.5 points, eight rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Those were just average numbers the Raptors were asking from him. However, the playoffs were a different story. In the 19 playoff games he played, Biyombo averaged 6.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, helping the Raptors reach their first ever Eastern Conference Finals appearance. His contributions spiked due to the Raptors' starting center Jonas Valanciunas injuring his ankle in the second round against the Miami Heat. This led to Biyombo becoming the starting center and took advantage of the moment.

Bismack Biyombo's playoff performance led to teams chasing after him Photo:
Bismack Biyombo's playoff performance led to teams chasing after him
Photo: Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP

Biyombo now joins a young, athletic, team in the Orlando Magic who made the right moves to attract Biyombo to them.

The Magic finished the regular-season with a 35-47 record and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. New head coach Frank Vogel now has a solid defensive team in newly acquired Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo, Elfrid Payton II, and Devyn Marble.

Biyombo looks to carry his playoff performance into next season as the Orlando Magic have a bright future ahead of them.

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About the author
Sully Akbari
Sully is a journalist who covers the NBA and is the Lead NBA Editor for VAVEL USA. He graduated from the journalism program at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sully resides in Toronto but is loyal fan of all-things Houston. His mantra is: Heart with Houston, Soul with Toronto. You can reach him through email at [email protected] or Twitter: @Sully_i3