Kupchak begins extension talks with Bynum

[dockingsched]

https://twitter.com/KevinDing

KEVIN DING ‏@KevinDing

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

lets see where this goes

[ennui]

You think this is strategically leaked to create an artificial deadline for the Howard/Bynum trade or is it for realsies this time?

[77CSUN77]

I have a question, This means that Lakers decided to go for bynum over Dwight or they trying to finds out if Andrew would be interested signing with Orlando or others?

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Mark Medina ‏@MarkGMedina

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

[Kilroy]

Just a guess of course, but I could see this going like a lot of the other FAs we've had...

Lakers sit down with Bynum, express interest in extending him...
He and his agent, express interest in exploring Free Agency...

Lakers trade him for Howard.

Basically, I think if Bynum says yes to the extension, we'll sign him and take ourselves out of the Dwight deal... But if he's after a new max contract in Free Agency, we'll try to trade him.

I just get the feeling Mitch and the Buss' feel like a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush and maybe it isn't worth dealing with Orl for Dwight if they can extend Bynum now and be done with it.

[Slava]

Big Boss Mitchy Ross making a power play here!

[nbaintel1]

Hey Mitch, sign Bynum now and then trade him for an unsigned Dwight. Win.

[robert93436]

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

[AcecardZ]

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.

[dockingsched]

this will be important for fans to take note of:

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q58

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.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q91

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]

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.

[dockingsched]

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.

check out what mitch said:

http://lakers.ocregister.com/2012/07/25 ... ent/73582/

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.

[PurpleMamba]

So this essentially has little to no effect on a potential Orl-La-Cle deal right? Isn't this what Cleveland would want if they were to acquire drew in a 3 team deal

[minifang]

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

[Danny Darko]

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.

Whoa... well that would be a good thing... and also a bad thing if he really feels like his knee is jacked.

[dockingsched]

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

bynum's max extension is 3 yrs beyond next yr, with raises of 7.5%. if he signs that, he can't be traded for 6 months.

in order to avoid the long wait, bynum's extension would need to fall within the extend-and-trade limits, which would be a 2 yrs extension beyond next yr, and only 4.5% raises.

[Michael Lucky]

I'm fairly certain Mitch and Lee will agree to resign him this off-season for top dollar. This is nothing but talk from the Lakers to let Drew know they still want him on their team.

[TruSkool]

me no complain

[Anklebreaker702]

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.

Wherever Drew goes he'll get the max

[kblo247]

It would be idiotic to give Bynum the max. He isn't a franchise player. He doesn't sell tickets or jerseys. His play is dependent as hell upon Kobe, as seen by shooting 42.7% when Kobe was out and his efg and ts numbers all dipping all season whenever Kobe sat. He's by far a mix of the slowest and laziest at his spot when he doesn't get his way as seen when team was getting ran at and he would still be joggin at the half court line on D, but he magically makes it up the floor first on O to beg for a touch. He can't read doubles. He can't power through contact without that power dribble that gets him stripped, fouled, or forced to travel. He also is highly more assisted on his scores than Dwight was last year despite the same attempts per game from the field. Have to be incredibly stupid to label him a max player when his skill set, attitude, and game as a player for his career hasn't shown it outside flashes.

Negotiations should start at least 10-15mil away from the total max