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KEVIN DING ‏@KevinDing

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak spoke today with Andrew Bynum's agent David Lee about a contract extension for Bynum.

Mark Medina ‏@MarkGMedina

Mitch Kupchak said he talked with Andrew Bynum's representative today, but there's nothing "imminent" about signing an extension

robert93436 wrote:so if drew sign's the extension, do the lakers pull a back door open and do a three team deal again?

Veteran extensions are limited to four seasons, including the seasons remaining on the current contract. Even if the extension is signed in late June, the current season counts as one full season toward the total. For example, a contract with two seasons remaining may be extended for up to two additional seasons. However, an extension signed in conjunction with an Extend-and-Trade transaction (see question number 91) is limited to three seasons, including the seasons remaining on the current contract.

Similar to a sign-and-trade arrangement (see question number 88), a team may sign an eligible player to an extension (see question number 58) and immediately trade him to another team. Such an "extend-and-trade" is limited to three seasons, which include any seasons remaining on the player's current contract1. The salary in the first season of the extension can have a 4.5% raise over the last season of the existing contract, and subsequent raises are limited to 4.5% of the salary in the first season of the extension.

Since an extend-and-trade has greater limits than a regular extension (three seasons and 4.5% raises vs. four seasons and 7.5% raises), the rules prevent teams from circumventing these limits by extending and trading the player in separate transactions. If a team extends a player beyond the limits of an extend-and-trade (for example, if they sign a player to a four-year extension), they can't trade the player for six months. Conversely, a team cannot extend a player it receives in trade for six months, if the extension exceeds the limits of an extend-and-trade.

Danny Darko wrote:i wouldn't be too offended if he won't extend. It's just the CBA now. I doubt he's thinking "I better get something now before i get injured again." which would be about the only reason i could see him signing.

Kupchak declined to detail the Wednesday conversation between him and Bynum’s representative beyond a general description of “productive and positive.” Kupchak said no changes in Bynum’s status would be coming soon.

Kupchak did, however, shed some light on the reasons why Bynum might want to lock in an extension rather than playing out the season for a longer, bigger new contract. Kupchak mentioned the “risks” vs. the “bird in hand.”

Kupchak said after he had two back surgeries as a player that he recalls telling his agent to get a deal done so there was security. Bynum, 24, has had numerous issues with his knees but no major ones last season, when he became an All-Star for the first time.

dockingsched wrote:

Kupchak declined to detail the Wednesday conversation between him and Bynum’s representative beyond a general description of “productive and positive.” Kupchak said no changes in Bynum’s status would be coming soon.

Kupchak did, however, shed some light on the reasons why Bynum might want to lock in an extension rather than playing out the season for a longer, bigger new contract. Kupchak mentioned the “risks” vs. the “bird in hand.”

Kupchak said after he had two back surgeries as a player that he recalls telling his agent to get a deal done so there was security. Bynum, 24, has had numerous issues with his knees but no major ones last season, when he became an All-Star for the first time.

minifang wrote:How soon would it be possible to trade Drew if he does indeed, extend?

AcecardZ wrote:

robert93436 wrote:so if drew sign's the extension, do the lakers pull a back door open and do a three team deal again?

Of course and with Bynum's history of knee problems he'd be foolish not to let Mitch play his hand out in that exact fashion.

There's a good chance Bynum will play out this year and explore free agency after but he'd be crazy to do so imho. Take the guaranteed three extra years and smile all the way to the bank.