There are 72 million reasons Bismack Biyombo is headed to the Orlando Magic.
Well, 72 million and one. Of course, the money is at the top of the list, but the Magic used a player they trust to help seal the deal — point guard Elfrid Payton. That according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.Team officials asked Payton to attend their meeting with Biyombo and help convince Biyombo to join the Magic.
“It was cool,” Payton said Tuesday. “It was definitely an experience, definitely a sign of respect that they asked me to come with them. I’m grateful for that.”
Aaron Gordon was also part of the pitch.
It worked and new coach Frank Vogel has an impressive front line to work with — Biyombo, Serge Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic, and Gordon. I like Evan Fournier and Mario Hezonja on the wings. If Payton is as good as the Magic management things — and I am far from sold on that — they are a playoff team on the rise in the East. Going to be an interesting year in Orlando.