Bynum Suspended?

[Novocaine]

This has to be a joke.

Why?

You don't seem to understand how much bad blood there is between the Sixers FO, their fans and Bynum. Even the idea of just using him for his expiring deal sickens Sixer fans.

Like you said, the Cavs would have to add sweeteners to that deal.... a lot of them, to get the Sixers listening. Sweeteners like Bennett and picks or Waiters. Probably a lot more than the Cavs want to give up.

Also, teams wouldn't be adding any incentives heading to Cleveland in those other deals. Jefferson, straight up, is about right valuewise for Bynum's non-guaranteed contract. No one is going to give up picks to shave a couple million off their single season salary cap. You're seriously overrating Bynum's trade value if that's the case.

Now, if the Cavs are willing to take on some long-term salary, then you could get a pick along with him. I bet you could pry a pick from the Celtics if you take Gerald Wallace's contract off their hands.

Not only the 76ers FO is new, I really doubt they're worried about the fans reaction to a trade involving a player they'll immediately cut (or send to a 3rd team simultaneously). It's a business, not a place to hold emotional grudges.

What do you think are Philly's plans for Turner and Hawes? If they don't plan to keep them next season, and I don't believe they do, Cleveland just needs to meet the price they set. Cleveland has protected first rounders from Sacramento, Memphis and Miami incoming in the next 3 years plus their own. Plus Zeller and Dellavedova. I really doubt including Bennett or Waiters would be necessary to make the deal work.

Six million dollars is a lot of money. You can usually buy late first rounders for less than half of that. It's not "a a couple million". Well worth a heavily protected first - not from a team like Philly because they'd be under the minimum salary cap, but say, from Boston, that's hitting the luxury tax threshold and could get some salary cap room to facilitate future deals without going over the tax.

[ShowTimeERA]

Ric Bucher ✔ @RicBucher

If Cavs handle Bynum the same way they did Baron Davis, forget him going to Mia. Gilbert will pay him to sit over letting him join the Heat.

One problem with this scenario, and it's a long-term problem (or a potential one).

If Gilbert has any shot at LeBron coming back to Cleveland in the future, then it probably isn't in Gilbert's best interests to do things that might indirectly hurt LeBron at this time. Or, at least, things that LeBron might perceive as "unfriendly" towards him at the present moment.

In the past, Gilbert seemed done with LeBron. I'm not sure that's the case any longer. And a LeBron return to Cleveland could be in the cards.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras.

But then your potentially giving Miami another piece which they desperately need in order to be locked-in favorites for another title. Lebron, coming off a three-peat isn't leaving Miami.

So take your poison.

[Novocaine]

Bynum playing 15 mpg off the bench for the Clippers would shore up a large part of their weaknesses.

Same for Miami, but 1) I'm not sure how can we get him (in a trade) & 2) I'm not sure Heat want to have a player like him in the locker room...

Both of the teams would need to sign him as a FA. I think he'll become one by January 7th.

He'd be useful to Miami too, but the Clippers need him more. His added value would be higher in LA.

[HotRocks34]

Ric Bucher ✔ @RicBucher

If Cavs handle Bynum the same way they did Baron Davis, forget him going to Mia. Gilbert will pay him to sit over letting him join the Heat.

Bucher is an idiot, cavs amnestied Davis so he could go anywhere he wanted.

I don't think Bucher is the biggest LeBron fan you'll ever find. So, if Bynum going to Miami might help LeBron win another ring, I would imagine that is not something Bucher would want to see happen.

Sometimes people in the media have agendas. And if they get a chance to push an agenda, then sometimes that agenda gets pushed.

I believe Bucher was going to write a book about the Big 3 being formed in Miami. I vaguely recall a blurb being put out about such a book.

Book never came out, I don't think. Not sure why it never came out, but I don't think it ever came out.

[AlexDelta]

Wow I am so shocked! I've said last summer, whoever is going to give him a contract is going to suffer.

[MKG35]

I find it weird that there are players in the league who don't like basketball at all, just are there to collect their check.

Bynum is only 26 years old and already has made 80 million dollars in salary. Why quit now? Just play 4 more years if possible or even longer, you'll easily make 4-10 million a year. More money to spend when you are retired.

Anyways, he has had his succes, rings and money. So if he wants to quit, go ahead.

[HotRocks34]

What? I think it's asinine to suggest that LeBron would use that (Gilbert denies Bynum chance to go to Miami) as a reason to not head back to Cleveland.

And I would say to you "don't kid yourself."

There's all kinds of things that go on behind the scenes. Including petty bitterness and bruised egos that can cloud judgment or make certain choices much less likely.

If I was Gilbert, and I wanted LeBron back in Cleveland, I would think twice about blocking Bynum from possibly heading to Miami. I'll just leave it at that.

[DowJones]

Ric Bucher ✔ @RicBucher

If Cavs handle Bynum the same way they did Baron Davis, forget him going to Mia. Gilbert will pay him to sit over letting him join the Heat.

One problem with this scenario, and it's a long-term problem (or a potential one).

If Gilbert has any shot at LeBron coming back to Cleveland in the future, then it probably isn't in Gilbert's best interests to do things that might indirectly hurt LeBron at this time. Or, at least, things that LeBron might perceive as "unfriendly" towards him at the present moment.

In the past, Gilbert seemed done with LeBron. I'm not sure that's the case any longer. And a LeBron return to Cleveland could be in the cards.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras.

Cleveland won't have much interest in LeBron beyond this year's free-agency. Cleveland sure won't offer a 34 year old LeBron James a 4/5 year max-contract deal when he is up for his next free-agency. So why should Cleveland do anything to help Miami get a 3rd straight ring?

If LeBron signs with any team but Cleveland this summer, the book is closed on a return. There is no interest from Cleveland in any type of farewell signing for a year or two at the end of his career.

[HotRocks34]

Ric Bucher ✔ @RicBucher

If Cavs handle Bynum the same way they did Baron Davis, forget him going to Mia. Gilbert will pay him to sit over letting him join the Heat.

One problem with this scenario, and it's a long-term problem (or a potential one).

If Gilbert has any shot at LeBron coming back to Cleveland in the future, then it probably isn't in Gilbert's best interests to do things that might indirectly hurt LeBron at this time. Or, at least, things that LeBron might perceive as "unfriendly" towards him at the present moment.

In the past, Gilbert seemed done with LeBron. I'm not sure that's the case any longer. And a LeBron return to Cleveland could be in the cards.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras.

But then your potentially giving Miami another piece which they desperately need in order to be locked-in favorites for another title. Lebron, coming off a three-peat isn't leaving Miami.

So take your poison.

This is a brilliant point and I totally agree with you. I thought about this when I wrote the above post, but did not include it.

Chess game here, not checkers. Got to think of all the ramifications.

Will be interesting to see how things play out.

[simomi]

Ric Bucher ✔ @RicBucher

If Cavs handle Bynum the same way they did Baron Davis, forget him going to Mia. Gilbert will pay him to sit over letting him join the Heat.

Gilbert still hasn't moved on ?

[HotRocks34]

There is no interest from Cleveland in any type of farewell signing for a year or two at the end of his career.

You're not Dan Gilbert, are you? Meaning, you can't necessarily speak for Dan Gilbert. Neither can I, for that matter. We're all just guessing here.

Dan Gilbert didn't exactly, in my estimation, come off in a great light in the aftermath of The Decision. And that might be more the case with Miami winning multiple titles.

If LeBron comes back to Cleveland at the end of his career, then Gilbert brought home the Prodigal Son and "rights the wrong" of The Decision and its aftermath.

I can see interest for Gilbert and Cleveland in bringing LeBron back later. We'll see what happens.

[tidho]

Few thoughts....

The Cavaliers will do what they believe is best for them. Trying to stop the Heat from winning a title by 'denying' them Andrew Bynum is like trying to slow down a Ferrari by putting a 10 pound bag of sand in the passenger seat.

I think the Chris Grant (Cleveland GM) needs another round of congratulations for that brilliant contract. If you take the time to understand Bynum's contract you'll realize its going to be extremely valuable. It really looks like the team is going to get something out of nothing again.

Rumor has it Boston is another preferred destination. If so the Bynum/Humphries deal works for both teams.

If Bynum does end up released this season, it makes a ton of sense for the Clippers and far less for the Heat. If the Heat do sign him, they'll release Oden...and the Cavaliers are the last organization in the league willing to sign that guy at this point. Look for Oden to the Cavs.

[JesusHCoxMd]

[HeartSouloma]

Perkins + 1 round picks + Jones for Bynum + waiterssssz. DO IT PRESTI

[Mich3006]

Philly needs a talented big

Serious, if he won't play the game no longer there'll be many gm's who'd take on an expiring - the Nets should think about him twice!

Bynum, Waiters for PP?!?!

[HotRocks34]

I find it weird that there are players in the league who don't like basketball at all, just are there to collect their check.

Imagine that you were, say, a math prodigy. You were incredibly good with numbers like in a Dustin Hoffman "Rainman" sense.

Then at some point you realized you could make a huge sum of money with your talent, like by counting cards or playing the odds in Vegas.

So, you end up doing that because that's the easiest way for you to make a fortune and you have a talent or skill very few other people have.

This is the case for some pro athletes, I think. And Bynum seems to be someone who fits that bill. I don't think he's ever really loved the game, but he happens to be 7' 1" and 285 lbs or whatever and very few other people have those qualities or the athleticism to match up with his size.

For fans, the game is like a special thing that many of us wish we could have done at the level the pros do it at. But for some of the pros, I think, it's just a job. And a job some of them might really not like that much.

[Clyde Frazier]

So after this year he'll have made $70+ mil in his career (which is insane…) At only 26, what does he plan to do for the rest of his life? He really doesn't seem to be that smart or committed to anything. And if this is just a ploy to play for a better team, i've completely lost respect for him.

He clearly didn't put in the work to re-hab the right way (remember the bowling incident) with the sixers, and now he's causing trouble with another team? Meanwhile, oden's doing all he can just to get back on the court for a few min per game.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

In hindsight the Pacers are really lucky the Lakers said no to Odom/Bynum for JO - we ended up getting Hibbert because of it.

[Scalabrine]

Sources say Danny Ferry is angry that Bynum bowled a perfect 300 against him and Bynum has been gloating about it all week, and that's unacceptable team behaviour.

Ferry is the gm of the hawks...

[WaffleRecord]

if he doesn't like basketball anymore why doesn't he just retire?