ESPN's Bayless: Sixers suckers in Bynum trade
According to Skip Bayless of ESPN, there's really no reason for the 76ers to await anxiously the results of Andrew Bynum's Dec. 20 checkup.
ESPN's Bayless: Sixers suckers in Bynum trade
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
According to Skip Bayless of ESPN, there’s really no reason for the 76ers to await anxiously the results of Andrew Bynum’s Dec. 20 checkup.
Bayless, one of the hosts on ESPN’s “First Take,” said on Tuesday’s show that the Sixers were the suckers in the four-team trade that landed Dwight Howard with the foundering Los Angeles Lakers.
“I spoke the other day to a very reliable Sixers source - I spoke to somebody I trust - who told me and confirmed to me Andrew Bynum’s knees are shot,” Bayless said. “We’re talking about beyond repair, progressive arthritis, deep degeneration, unfixable.
“The source said that he will try to play,” Bayless continued. “He might even occasionally over the next year or two have a decent game here and there. But long-term this will get only worse – only worse. So bottom line, the Sixers got taken in this trade that ultimately landed Dwight Howard in Los Angeles.”
Bynum on Monday said that his right knee, site of the first bone bruise, feels fine, adding that it is the left knee, the one he hurt while bowling, that is causing him pain.
“There is nothing I can really do about it; it’s arthritis in the knees,” Bynum said. “The cartilage is missing so that’s not something that’s going to re-grow itself. Maybe in the future, next three to five years there may be something out there that really does help. For right now it’s kind of just a waiting game.”
First, let's wait and see what transpires after the All-Star break before we anoint Skip Bayless as the next Nostradamus. Second, even if Bynum goes south, the Sixers aren't on the hook for anything -- they simply don't resign him and they get a huge cap space.— Diehard in WPB- We are always suckers.— 4thand10
- The Sixers are back to their old ways again. They did give up to much in the trade but maybe they can get additional resources from LA for the swindle.The Sixers leagal department should pursue the matter.— Andrew Grier
- Sixers suckers in Bynum trade???? We got rid of Iggy's contract for an expiring contract, thats a huge win anyway Bynum's health turns out— jamarder
- Actually, to rebut what appears to be a common thought on this site, II think the Sixers took an educated gamble. They can't really lose becuase they dumped Iguadala and his contract in return for Bynum. If he never plays a game he is done after this season. The Sixers do not owe him a dime other than what he is paid this season. They are free to sign other players or draft someone. They could discover that they have enough talent on the team to right now. Are all of you forgetting that Andrew Bynum played 66 games plus the playoffs last season? When did he miss games with the knee problem that the Sixers "should have known about"? They took a chance to dump a player who wasn't getting better (AI) and was blocking the developement of ET...— Getinline
- CAP SPACE next year, YES. But for who, and for what? There is no one I can think of who would give the Sixers what the POTENTIAL of BYNUM does. Jefferson, Millsap, are not the dominating Center this team lacks.— tomvallar
- Bull. The bigger point of this trade was to move Iggy. Everyone felt that he was holding back Even and Jrue's development. Up to this point, that has been proven to be correct. Bynum is on the books for this year only. He hasn't been extended. This is the best time for us to find out how crappy his legs really are. Let Bynum walk after the year, (if he actually can walk) and use the cap space elsewhere. This works out fine. Bayless hasn't watched this Lakers play this year obviously. They're garbage and so is Dwight Howard. Not to mention, Iggy is stinking up the joint also. I'd say the Sixers made out pretty good. Just sucks that Vuc and Harkless were part of this.— Two1Five
- Bull. The bigger point of this trade was to move Iggy. Everyone felt that he was holding back Even and Jrue's development. Up to this point, that has been proven to be correct. Bynum is on the books for this year only. He hasn't been extended. This is the best time for us to find out how crappy his legs really are. Let Bynum walk after the year, (if he actually can walk) and use the cap space elsewhere. This works out fine. Bayless hasn't watched this Lakers play this year obviously. They're garbage and so is Dwight Howard. Not to mention, Iggy is stinking up the joint also. I'd say the Sixers made out pretty good. Just sucks that Vuc and Harkless were part of this.— Two1Five
- Bull. The bigger point of this trade was to move Iggy. Everyone felt that he was holding back Even and Jrue's development. Up to this point, that has been proven to be correct. Bynum is on the books for this year only. He hasn't been extended. This is the best time for us to find out how crappy his legs really are. Let Bynum walk after the year, (if he actually can walk) and use the cap space elsewhere. This works out fine. Bayless hasn't watched this Lakers play this year obviously. They're garbage and so is Dwight Howard. Not to mention, Iggy is stinking up the joint also. I'd say the Sixers made out pretty good. Just sucks that Vuc and Harkless were part of this.— Two1Five
- Well @ this pt da 6ers are slightly better than they were last yr...they have a better record than all the other teams involved n the trade & they got rid if Iggy & EB's contracts n the process...would we all like 2 see Bynum healthy & on da floor of course but if he cant and his knees truly are shot da 6ers will have $$$ 2 pursue other free agents— the tru 1
- While it sucks Bynum didnt end up being this franchises star player. I'm happy with the trade and would do it again. Why? We got rid of Andre Iguodala who kept the Sixers in the land of mediocrity. Not only because he wasnt a go to scorer, franchise player, impact performer. He also had a contract that handcuffed the Sixers from landing such a player. It allowed Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday (especially) to emerge. Temporarily Turner is playing solid all around, could more be done? Certainly. Jrue has placed him on the outside of being the elite (CP3, Dwill, Rondo etc). Positives from moving. Bynum is a free agent so Sixers arent tied to any long term cap killer of an often injured big man. Sign, trades Sixers have options.— philly7819
- Thought it was mostly about dumping Iggy's salary ?— biagio77
- Thought it was mostly about dumping Iggy's salary ?— biagio77
LA strikes again. Wilt for Imholff, Archie Clark and Jerry Chambers. Rings for Lakers and 9-73 for Sickers.
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
