Atlanta Hawks: Bismack Biyombo could be Okongwu stand-in

The Atlanta Hawks could be in the market for a big man this offseason after it was reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that rookie Onyeka Okongwu underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. The recovery will take six months, putting his return right around the All-Star break. What will the Hawks do in the meantime without his valuable bench presence?

One name that could be a cheap, but invaluable stand-in is Bismack Biyombo. The 10-year veteran is a free agent after three years with the Charlotte Hornets — his second stint with the team — and has played his best basketball over the past two seasons.

6.1 points and 5.5 rebounds with 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks is modest but solid for a reserve.

And, standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-plus wingspan, he’s a veritable prototype of Okongwu. Biyombo is heavier and has a longer reach, but was ahead of his time as an undersized big.

The Atlanta Hawks could add Bismack Biyombo in the wake of Okongwu’s injury and not miss a beat

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He’s not a full-time starter, but he’s managed to be in opening lineups in at least 21 games every season since 2014.

His production is a little better as a starter than as a reserve, with averages of 6.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

But that’s not where the 28-year-olds true value lies anyway.

Biyombo’s 4.1 points as a reserve are just .5 points fewer than Okongwu and his 4.9 rebounds per game off the bench are 1.6 more.

It’s not just what he can give the Hawks in the immediate sense, either. Should he be performing up to snuff by the time Okongwu is ready to return to his role, Biyombo could bring something back in a trade prior to next season’s trade deadline.

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Biyombo would probably only fetch a late second-round at best, but it would be something. That’s more than you could say for some of the other options.

For instance, the Hawks could certainly draft someone. But will a rookie big worthy of the pick be available at 20th overall? And if they take one in the second round, that player would presumably need a little more seasoning than an earlier selection.

Their own young guys Bruno Fernando and two-way player Nathan Knight could also make an impact but it might be too much to ask them to contribute meaningful minutes for a team with NBA Finals hopes.

Basically, a young player might satisfy the ‘cheap’ part but providing value could be tricky (which is what makes Onkongwu so special).

The veteran free-agent market is also rife with guys that will be overpaid or simply ineffective.

Next. Atlanta Hawks: 3 free-agent centers to strengthen the bench. dark

With his production and a price tag under $4 million, Biyombo is neither of those things and should be an option for Atlanta