Biyombo an unrestricted free agent after Hornets don't extend qualifying offer

It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but the Charlotte Hornets will not tender a qualifying offer to center Bismack Biyombo.

Hornets general manager Rich Cho was non-committal last week when asked about the decision on the fourth-year big man. A call to extend Biyombo the qualifying offer would have made him a restricted free agent. Instead now, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

Based on certain criteria, a case could be made for the Congolese center not receiving an increase in the qualifying offer amount. A former starter, Biyombo saw his minutes cut with the arrival of coach Steve Clifford in Charlotte in 2013.

That's not to say there will not be free agent interest in him however; he averaged 4.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in just over 19 minutes a game last season, and has upside as a defender.

Biyombo was selected No. 7 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.