Andrew Bynum Suspension: Cavs Plan To Trade Or Release Center

Andrew Bynum is facing suspension for what the Cleveland Cavaliers have called “conduct detrimental to the team,” and now it appears the center’s time in Cleveland has come to an end.

The Bynum suspension announced by the Cavs this week means the center is banned from all team activities, and he did not travel with the Cavs to Boston for Saturday’s game. The move comes just months after the Cavs signed Bynum to a two-year, $24 million contract.

Reports now say the team will either trade or release Bynum before his contract becomes fully guaranteed on January 7. That means the team would only have to pay the $6 million from his contract that is guaranteed.

Though the team once hoped Bynum could become a key to a potential title run, the 7-foot center has looked uninterested on the floor and listless at times. He has missed games this season due to a knee injury and talked openly about considering retirement.

The issues have spilled over to other players, and the Cavs now see it best to cut Bynum loose.

“It’s a terrible situation internally with our team,” All-Star guard Kyrie Irving said before the Cavs faced the Celtics. “It’s something we have to get over.”

Cavs coach Mike Brown, who has been a supporter of Andrew Bynum and had a good relationship with the center in Los Angeles, implied that it is time to move on.

“He’s on an indefinite suspension and I’m not trying to be funny, but you know what indefinite means,” Brown said. “We’ve got 14 guys in that locker room who are very focused and determined and ready to take on any challenge that’s in front of them. They’re great guys, they’re focused guys and they know how to play the game the right way and that’s what I’m focused on, just helping those guys win.”

The Andrew Bynum suspension is technically indefinite, but insiders believe a trade for Bynum could be in the works soon. Otherwise he will likely be released within two weeks.