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When new Bobcats general manager Rich Cho last week described Bismack Biyombo’s contract status as "a little bit complicated," he wasn’t kidding.

Biyombo’s Spanish team apparently expects a buyout of approximately $1.4 million to allow the 18-year-old forward/center to join the Bobcats, who drafted him No.7 overall Thursday.

NBA rules say the Bobcats can’t pay more than $500,000 toward any buyout, so in some ways the team’s hands are tied. The primary negotiation will need to be between Biyombo’s agent and the Madrid-based team that currently holds the player’s rights.

Jorge Sanz, a spokesman for the Spanish team, told The Associated Press Tuesday that Biyombo has two seasons remaining on his contract and that while the team won’t fight Biyombo’s desire to leave, it does expect to be paid the full amount.

"We have to reach an agreement over the compensation for the club," Sanz told the AP. "On (Friday) there is a mediation session. … If we don’t reach an agreement, it will go to court and a judge will decide."

Biyombo told reporters last week that he was a "free agent" and was "100 percent" sure he would play for the Bobcats next season. But in reality no one is quite sure there will even be a 2011-12 NBA season.

Biyombo was still in Charlotte Tuesday but may go to Spain with his agent, Igor Crespo, for the buyout negotiations. Bobcats officials and Biyombo declined comment on the situation Tuesday through team spokesmen. Immediately after the draft, Cho did say of the situation: "He (Biyombo) has got a dispute with his Spanish team. It’s something we’re going to have to address.

When new Bobcats general manager Rich Cho last week described Bismack Biyombo’s contract status as "a little bit complicated," he wasn’t kidding.

Biyombo’s Spanish team apparently expects a buyout of approximately $1.4 million to allow the 18-year-old forward/center to join the Bobcats, who drafted him No.7 overall Thursday.

NBA rules say the Bobcats can’t pay more than $500,000 toward any buyout, so in some ways the team’s hands are tied. The primary negotiation will need to be between Biyombo’s agent and the Madrid-based team that currently holds the player’s rights.

Jorge Sanz, a spokesman for the Spanish team, told The Associated Press Tuesday that Biyombo has two seasons remaining on his contract and that while the team won’t fight Biyombo’s desire to leave, it does expect to be paid the full amount.

"We have to reach an agreement over the compensation for the club," Sanz told the AP. "On (Friday) there is a mediation session. … If we don’t reach an agreement, it will go to court and a judge will decide."

Biyombo told reporters last week that he was a "free agent" and was "100 percent" sure he would play for the Bobcats next season. But in reality no one is quite sure there will even be a 2011-12 NBA season.

Biyombo was still in Charlotte Tuesday but may go to Spain with his agent, Igor Crespo, for the buyout negotiations. Bobcats officials and Biyombo declined comment on the situation Tuesday through team spokesmen. Immediately after the draft, Cho did say of the situation: "He (Biyombo) has got a dispute with his Spanish team. It’s something we’re going to have to address.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/28/2415111/biyombos-spanish-team-expects.html#ixzz1Qg7LzR6y

 

 

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