Is tonight our last look at Bismack Biyombo in Raptors colours?

The Raptors have many tough decisions pending in the off-season. Can we construct a scenario in which Bismack Biyombo resigns?

While I’m not always Captain Sunshine, I usually try to remain an optimistic outlook about the present and future of the Toronto Raptors. This season, and post-season, have justified that outlook and then some.

However, I’m greatly concerned that we’re going to see the gang broken up. The useful and timely www.hoopshype.com has a storyline dealing with Bismack Biyombo’s impending free agency. In sum, Bismack is likely to cash in big time following his remarkable playoff success. As a result of his defensive prowess and just-enough offense, the Raptors survived the loss of Jonas Valanciunas to that dreadful high ankle sprain suffered against the Miami Heat.

Faithful readers know that I and other Toronto-centric commentators have been fretting for some months that the Raptors had too many mouths to feed. Yes, the salary cap is ballooning to around $92 million for next season, but several of our stalwarts are prepared to cash in, or walk.

“This town ain’t big enough for the two of us.”

JV has already signed a contract extension for $45 million over 3 years; one assumes that should keep him and his young family off the poverty line. If the speculation about Bis is to be believed, he’s in line for more than JV’s payday. I find that hard to believe even in the NBA’s frenzied atmosphere.

Regardless of whatever bidding war transpires this summer for Biz’s services over the next few years, clearly the Raptors can’t tie up $30+ million in centres. Lucas Nogueira is the on the books for another $2M as well.

And we haven’t even considered the 800-pound gorilla in the room, to wit: what are the Raptors going to offer DeMar DeRozan? Is he due for $100M over 4 or 5 years?

Setting aside money for a moment, why should Biz return to Toronto? If Masai Ujiri decides to pony up, can you really have the guy sitting on the bench half the game? Biz will barely be 24 years old as next season opens; he’s heading into the prime of his career, wants to play big minutes, and who can blame him?

The Raptors aren’t just another team…Masai plucked Biz from the scrap heap, and Toronto fans love the charismatic Congolese. The Raptors are also an organization with legitimate championship aspirations. But before he comes back, he has to have a position, so I’m returning to my notion of a few months ago.

Toronto should tell Biz he is their starting power forward. He’s undersized for the centre spot but not for PF. Biz can set high screens or help JV down low with pin downs. For that matter, JV can hover around the foul line and take high-percentage jumpers until the defense has had enough. Biz can handle the offensive glass.

From what I can determine, the Raptors can make the money work.

Let’s hope this near-pipe dream of mine can somehow come to fruition. I hate the thought that we might be seeing the last of Bismack Biyombo, Toronto Raptor.