18.7 points, 56% shooting from the floor, 11.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks: So reads Andrew Bynum's per game statistics from the 2011-12 season. Not to mention he also had the 2nd best player efficiency rating in the NBA. And remember, Bynum wasn't even the go-to guy in LA. This summer, Bynum will be an unrestricted free agent. A fan who hasn't kept up with the NBA this season would say, "Its a no-brainer, sign this 7-footer to a max deal! Lock him up for the future!" But oh how things have changed since Bynum was traded to the 76ers.
Bynum has not played a game this season because of his recovery from knee surgery and countless setbacks. He vowed multiple returns; none of which have panned out. Its pretty clear he won't be returning this season with how the second half of the year has gone for Philly and now that he is considering arthroscopic surgery. So the question is: to re-sign or not re-sign the injury prone, all-star center, Andrew Bynum?
To Re-sign: When healthy, Andrew Bynum is an all-star center, one who can rebound, defend, and score. This kind of player is a very rare commodity in today's NBA. In fact, he was considered by many analysts and fans as the 2nd best center in the league before his injury. His stats from last year speak for themselves. Of course Philadelphia would want to re-sign this kind of player. You could build a franchise around him (when healthy). And don't forget, Bynum is only 25. If the Sixer's signed him to a long term contract they would have him all through (what should be) the prime of his career.
Another important point to consider is that the current Sixers' roster was meant to be built around Bynum. 76ers' management meant to surround him with perimeter shooters so Bynum could dominate in the post, much like the Magic with Dwight Howard. Re-signing him could mean avoiding a large roster overhaul. Bynum is everything that the team lacks. When watching the Sixers its painfully obvious that they are missing a back-to-the-basket threat in the post on offense and a big body to clog up the paint on defense. Another point I'm sure the Sixer's management has considered is the fact that he is a legitimate superstar when playing to his potential. Philadelphia's lacked a real star since Iverson (sorry Iggy). A superstar attracts more fans, more media, and sells more tickets.On the other hand, if the Sixers don't offer a max contract odds are another team will. Could the organization and fans live with watching Bynum leave and dominate for another team?
Not Re-sign: Bynum's lack of professionalism is obvious. Whether it be off the court, like this year's bowling incident resulting in set backs or hurting his knee at a Playboy Mansion party when still with the Lakers, or on the court, like last year's ill-advised three point shot and him pretending not to know why that was a mistake, Bynum has consistently shown that he is immature. A lot of people get the feeling he is not even taking his recovery seriously and there is even concern that he doesn't even want to play basketball. But his personality is the least of his issues. Doctors have said Bynum's knees show "degeneration". This basically means that they will never recover to full strength. He's a 25 year old with 60 year old knees. He has also said he doesn't want to play through pain, yet with his knee condition it seems like he'll have too or simply not play at all. The few practices he's had this year have ended in discomfort and swelling, and those weren't even high contact. For these reasons many would argue that he is not worth a long term max contract. Its too risky considering he may never be at full strength.
My take: Don't re-sign him, especially not to a long term deal. Offering Andrew Bynum a long term maximum deal could cripple the Sixers for a decade. There's a great chance he would never step foot on court because of injuries and all that money would go down the drain. I also have concerns with his personality. This is his contract year. Any smart player in his position who wanted a max deal this summer would play their heart out. If they were injured, they would go out of their way to rehab it, not take any stupid risks, and do everything in their power to get back on the floor and impress. Bynum, in this same position, has showed zero heart and zero professionalism. Imagine how he would be after getting a maximum deal. What motivation would he have then? None, because he doesn't seem to care about the team or basketball in general. He really doesn't seem to care that he's not playing and appears happy to sit on the bench and get paid. Then again, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he's hiding his passion and frustration inside his odd hair styles. The 76ers would be taking much too big of a risk offering Bynum any kind of long term deal. Let him go, let another team deal with him, and use that open cap space to build around Jrue Holiday, a potential top 5 point guard in the future.
There is another possible ending to this situation. They say if you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, its yours forever. If it doesn't, then it was never meant to be. If Bynum really wants to be a Sixer like he said in last summer's press conference, maybe he'll understand if Philly doesn't offer the max. If he is only going to accept a long term max deal, the Sixers should let him go. But if he wants to be part of this organizations future, maybe he'll accept a more reasonable deal on a shorter term basis. Something along the lines of $20 million/2 years where he and Jrue can be a nice combo (if he ever plays). With this shorter contract he can prove that he can get healthy and earn a maximum deal down the road. But who the hell am I kidding, Bynum will take the first max deal he is offered. Have fun in Charlotte, Andrew!
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