Thunder sign veteran center for rest of season

A 13-year veteran, Biyombo signed a one-year, $5M contract with the Grizzlies earlier this season to help fill in at center following Steven Adams‘ season-ending knee surgery. 

He started 27 of 30 games he played for the team, averaging 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 23.9 minutes per night.

Memphis originally signed Biyombo using an extra roster spot that was granted during Ja Morant‘s 25-game suspension. 

The Grizzlies hung onto the big man following the star guard’s return, waiving Kenneth Lofton to create room on the roster for him, but eventually let Biyombo go when Morant suffered a season-ending injury of his own and the team’s focus shifted away from pushing for the playoffs this season.

Biyombo, 31, will become the veteran voice among a group of Oklahoma City centers that also features second-year big men Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams. 

He may not play regular rotation minutes, but he’ll provide important injury insurance for a team on track to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019-2020.

The Thunder traded three players for Gordon Hayward on deadline day, creating two open spots on their 15-man roster that they’ve already filled by promoting Lindy Waters III and signing Biyombo. The club still has one vacant two-way slot.