Andrew Bynum signs with Cleveland for at least $6 million

[benji]

First year is $12 million of which half is guaranteed. Second year is team option for $12.5 million.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/94682 ... ource-says

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 39s
Some NBA teams backed away on Bynum because of questions about his aggressiveness in rehabilitating his knees. Lots of doubts about him.

[Andrew]

Good move, considering what he can do when he's healthy. With those terms, they're playing it fairly safe as well.

[NovU]

Makes me think he's not healthy enough. If he had shown what he's capable through couple exercise or practices rather than piece of paper saying he's cleared to play by a doctor, I think he could have gone for a much nicer contract.

Part of me wanted this kid with Dirk but I'm not too disappointed he isn't.

[Lamrock]

Cleveland will be an interesting team this year. They could be really good but their core consists of players who are unproven and/or injury prone.

[benji]

Makes me think he's not healthy enough. If he had shown what he's capable through couple exercise or practices rather than piece of paper saying he's cleared to play by a doctor, I think he could have gone for a much nicer contract.

I don't think he's been cleared for full court practices yet.

[Spree#8]

Nice fit with Varejao. 25 games combined last season.

I don't think he's been cleared for full court practices yet.

His people keep saying the rehab is done, but that doesn't mean much. The guy has chronic arthritis. After ONE practice with the Sixers in January (I think) his knee swollen horribly and he wasn't able to do anything at any later point. He hasn't even been working out for teams.

Those counting on a "healthy Bynum", feel free to abandon your hopes. There's no such thing as a "healthy Bynum". Even if he does play, 25-30 games is probably the most optimistic scenario. Signing him and thinking he can still be an impact player is just an act of desperation. The Cavs might have gotten themselves a nice bowler and flamenco dancer, but as a basketball player, Bynum is done. At least they put that team option for the second year in there.

This is the best day of this offseason for a Philly fan.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Good Irving if Bynum is Bynum and not Philly Junkie. Will be very exciting to see Irving in the playoffs finally. Sauru is probably sad again as I see no chance for the Celtics now.

[hova-]

At first I thought : "Oh man, we lose out on another one", but honestly, if Bynum was healthy, Mavs would have spent a lot of money on him. I'm pretty sure there is a reason why they did not sign him. So maybe it is the best for Dallas, whilst Cleveland does not have much to lose.

[NovU]

Andrew Bynum's agent, David Lee, says his client's knees are healthy and Bynum is planning to have an All-Star season.

This is the same agent who admitted Bynum is at least 15 pounds overweight and hasn't played basketball in a while. There was even a report that other players on the 76ers told their agent that Bynum couldn't do anything physically. A Cavs executive also told beat writer Jason Lloyd that both of Bynum's knees are "not good." This deal could work out in the end, but it's certainly not getting off to a good start. Jul 11 - 5:20 PM

Sounds pretty bad. He had entire year and more to recover. Yet this is what we get.

[Andrew]

Hence the team option for the second year and partially guaranteed contract.

[_Steve_]

Bynum hasn't signed a deal by now as both sides are still working on finalizing a contract.
I think the Cavs are making a costly mistake. It's not as bad as what Philly did but that deal is something the Cavs will regret if his knees are still bad even after a full year of recovery...

[NovU]

If things pan out miraculously though, the Cavs will be a great team, a contender. At the very worst, it's an expiring contract at 12 mil or 6 mil if he completely breaks down.

[Stress Fracture]

The team option is the equalizer, at the very least.

[Andrew]

Bynum hasn't signed a deal by now as both sides are still working on finalizing a contract.
I think the Cavs are making a costly mistake. It's not as bad as what Philly did but that deal is something the Cavs will regret if his knees are still bad even after a full year of recovery...

By NBA standards, it isn't that costly. It's "only" $6 million guaranteed with a team option for the second year, so they're not saddled with a huge, long term contract. At worst, they're out $6 million for a player who may not play up to expectations, may not play much or may not play at all. Given what Bynum has been able to do when he's healthy, it's a fairly low risk experiment that doesn't need to go beyond this upcoming season. It's not like there's a whole lot of other talented centres available.