Bynum's agent reportedly seeking $17M per year

[Andrew]

Bynum Chasing $17M Per Season?

According to a report published in the L.A. Times, representatives for center Andrew Bynum and the Lakers are still remain far apart on extension negotiations.

Bynum's agent, David Lee, reportedly is seeking a five-year extension worth an estimated $17 million a year, while the Lakers are more comfortable paying Bynum about $10 million a year.

This isn't exactly a Ben Gordon-type situation since as a legit big man who was averaging a double double before he went down with injury last year, Andrew Bynum is a rare breed and as such can make a strong claim for the big bucks. That would vault him into a similar salary range as players such as LeBron, Melo and Wade though which seems a bit much at this point but given his value to the Lakers and bright future, I could see them going a little higher than the $10 mil per year they're reportedly offering.

[Alejandrov011]

He has still to prove he is worth that money


He averaged a double double for how many games? 30?


It's a risk... a great risk

[dansensei]

make him play for a full season (alongside pau) before giving him that amount...

[Impakt]

They don't have to give him the money now. Just let him play out this season and see how he goes. If I'm not mistaken he's a unrestricted free agent so it would be stupid for the Lakers to sign him now.

[[Q]]

that is a joke. $17 mil per yr is the salary range for the best players in the league and he is far from that right now. I bet Odom, Gasol, and Kobe would question why he would get that much.

[BZ]

That demand is just straight up overboard. Yao is only making 15 mil per year, and he's arguably the best center in the league right now. Bynum at most deserves 10-12.

[Alejandrov011]

I would take Howard as the best center in the league... and how much is he earning? $12M? or $16M? i don't remember

[Andrew]

He averaged a double double for how many games? 30?


It's a risk... a great risk

Quite true, though I don't think his stats would have been too shabby had he played the entire season. $10-12 mil per year wouldn't be a bad price though, if Andris Biedrins is worth around $9 mil per year then the type of salary the Lakers are reportedly insisting on is pretty fair for Bynum. I guess his agent feels that his potential and status as a legit low post centre is enough leverage to get the Lakers to overpay him.

[Alejandrov011]

Bynum showed some potencial... he very young... but it is still a great risk...

Who remembers the last year of Dampier in GSW? he averaged 12p and 12r a game and he received that contract from Dallas and became a bust, knowing that he's earning $10M-$12M a year


It's not the same scenario but... A contract like the Warriors give to Biedrins is the correct one

[Andrew]

$10-12 mil is a risk I think the Lakers could take while still offering Bynum fair market value. $17 million per year is too much with the amount of question marks hanging over his head. If he'd exploded a la Dwight Howard then perhaps you'd strongly consider going into the $15 mil range but as it stands, it sounds like the Lakers' offer is fair.

[Alejandrov011]

And Bynum is a bit injury prone...

[Andrew]

Not really. He played in 46 games in his rookie year while he was buried on the bench and then played all 82 games in his second year. I guess his knee is still a concern given the severity of the injury but I wouldn't say he's injury prone all the same.

[Patr1ck]

I don't think he's worth the 17 million. If he continues to be work with Kareem on his game, he could be worth more, but 17 million is a bit of a stretch.

[Impakt]

Another thing is he went out of the Laker's stuff to get his knee fixed and be give the ok. Now his Manager is asking for a big contract. Maybe the injury to Bynum is pretty serious?

[Laxation]

A 3 year contract, 12mil a season would be good for both parties. He is still young, and if he proves he is worth it he can get more later

[Fresh8]

I wouldn't offer Bynum the max right now. He hasn't done anything in his career although he has shown improvement, he hasn't played at a 'high level' for a whole season. Plus the fact that he's coming off a knee injury makes it even more risky.

[Andrew]

A 3 year contract, 12mil a season would be good for both parties. He is still young, and if he proves he is worth it he can get more later

The Lakers probably wouldn't mind doing that but I'm guessing Bynum and his agent will be pushing for more security, if not more dollars. If he comes out and plays the entire season and plays the way he did before he got injured last year (or better) I think a longer contract would be safe enough but unless he pulls a Dwight Howard, $17 million is too steep.

[shadowgrin]

Seems like Bynum and his agent have been smoking them funny cigs with Kareem after workouts.

[Cartar]

Bynum agrees to a 4-year, $58M extension

In my opinion, still bit too much, although surprised with the duration of the contract, I guess Lakers aren´t that confident in his health.

[bowdown]

Wow 14.5 Million / year is a lot for someone who averaged 13/10/2 for a few games last season. not saying he is not good but 14 million is too much

[Alejandrov011]

At least is a 4 year...


But is a lot anyway... He must keep up the expectations

[Andrew]

A bit high considering he's got a lot left to prove but it's fairer than $17 million and the shorter contract is a bit safer than a full six year commitment as well. At least it won't be an issue for either side come the end of the season.

[sucram]

I kinda wanted them to hold out and see how he goes this season before paying up, but yeah, like you mentioned i guess this will prevent the money discussion interfering later in the year when the games are most important.

[Andrew]

I think it would have been a bigger issue after the season was over. Whether they win the championship or not, the Lakers are likely going to win a lot of games and contend and a winning atmosphere would probably mollify Bynum while the Lakers are still playing but then the negotiations could have gotten ugly once the season was in the books. That definitely won't be an issue now, with both sides getting some measure of security.