MEMPHIS, Tenn — The Memphis Grizzlies have signed NBA veteran center Bismack Biyombo to the team.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, per team policy.
Last with the Phoenix Suns, Biyombo has played for Charlotte, Toronto, and Orlando as well during his dozen years with the NBA. He was selected the seventh overall pick by Sacramento in the 2011 NBA Draft before his rights were traded to Charlotte that night.
Biyombo has played 799 career regular season games with 324 starts, and averaged 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 19.5 minutes, while shooting 53.5% from the field. He also played in 40 career playoff games with 11 starts.
He also played two seasons professionally with the Spanish ACB league before the NBA.
Memphis is able to sign Biyombo using a roster exception they receive after five games during Ja Morant's 25-game suspension.
The veteran joins a shorthanded Grizzlies team, especially in the frontcourt. Starting center Steven Adams will miss the 2023 season as he recovers from surgery on the knee he injured in January. The team is also missing Brandon Clarke for the foreseeable future as he recovers from a torn achilles tendon.
Biyombo likely will not be able to fulfill all the responsibilities that the team asked of either Adams or Clarke, but he will be a body that can help to protect the rim and rebound.
Memphis started the season 0-5, the only team in the NBA without a win. The team is currently 23rd in the NBA in rebounds per game and 21st in opponent's shooting percentage in the paint. Biyombo can help sure up those areas and give minutes relief to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman Sr.
Memphis is currently on a three-game road trip. They'll play the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday and Sunday.