After a period of limited progress, one source familiar with the negotiations said the Lakers and Bynum are close to agreement on a three-year contract extension worth approximately $42 million.
For the Lakers, the desire to lock up a player who has shown the potential to join the small fraternity of elite big men in the NBA has been tempered by the small sample pool of games in which Bynum has actually performed well. He was used sparingly as a rookie, his production dropped off after a solid start to his second season, then his breakout third year was cut short by a knee injury in January. Bynum is averaging 7.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his career.
The proposed contract -- which has a fourth-year team option -- would give Bynum the maximum annual salary but limit the Lakers' long-term liability if Bynum's career does not continue its upward arc. The longest and largest extension Bynum could sign would be five years and approximately $85 million.
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