Andrew Bynum and the Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly agreed on a two-year contract.
The 25-year-old free-agent center famously missed the entire 2012-2013 season with the Philadelphia 76ers because of a knee injury . Despite his health issues, lots of NBA teams were interested in the seven-footer who went from high school directly into pro basketball.
According to AP , Bynum “accepted a two-year deal that will include $6 million of $12 million guaranteed in year one and a team option of $12.5 million for 2014-15. The Cavs will have until next summer to decide on picking up Bynum’s option for the 2014-15 season.”
As we reported previously , Bynum’s agent David Lee claimed that half a dozen teams were interested and would be receiving medical reports about his rehabilitation. However, he also revealed that Andrew Bynum wouldn’t actually work out for the teams.
ESPN reports that Bynum was directly courted, so to speak, by three teams. “Bynum made his decision Wednesday night after three consecutive days of meetings with Cleveland, the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks.” The Cavs have made a mayor effort to upgrade the team, which is led by star guard Kyrie Irving. “The acquisition of Bynum completes a strong offseason for the Cavaliers, who also signed Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark while selecting Anthony Bennett with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft.”
Bynum was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers from 2005 to 2012 (where he won two championship rings) before he was traded to Philadelphia. For a career so far, he has averaged 12 points and about eight rebounds per game in the regular season and about nine points and seven rebounds per playoff game. Bynum has earned approximately $67 million in his NBA career to date.
Assuming he can actually get on the floor, do you think the Andrew Bynum Cleveland Cavaliers signing will help the team next season?