Bynum's agent: 'Ball is in Sixers' court'
The agent for Andrew Bynum says that the player has not ruled out signing a contract with the 76ers
Bynum's agent: 'Ball is in Sixers' court'
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE – The agent for Andrew Bynum says that the player has not ruled out signing a contract with the 76ers once free agency begins July 1.
“I don’t see why not,” Bynum’s agent, David Lee, said Wednesday morning when asked whether or not Bynum would consider signing an extension with the 76ers this summer. “I still feel like the ball is in their court.”
Bynum will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He had arthroscopic surgery on both knees last month to remove debris. Teams can begin signing free agents on July 1.
Not long after the surgery, once Sixers source said that he did not believe that Bynum would give the Sixers any additional consideration because of what happened – Bynum never played for the team in the final year of his contract - following his acquisition in a four-team trade last August.
“Philadelphia has been terrific to us – from [majority owner] Josh Harris to [CEO/co-owner] Adam Aron to [general manager] Tony DiLeo,” Lee said. “The only way that Philadelphia would not be an option would be if they decided that they wanted to go in another direction.”
Lee said that Bynum is at least two weeks into his rehabilitation. He added that Bynum has not experienced any pain or swelling since the procedure.
For those that believe Bynum’s career is over, Lee had this to say.
“This was a rough year on everyone involved. But Andrew is just 25 years old. We have every reason to believe that he will be back on the court next season.”
Comments (52)
Really? Anything more than a one year deal is a waste of money and time? if he doesnt want it then go beat feet, and no sign and trade unless it involves draft picks and expiring contracts.— bgwille- A space heater for the bench would be a lot cheaper and more effective than Bynum.— daphillymann
- The Sixers better not sign this guy. I don't even want an one year deal because I don't want this clown to be a distraction and/or a bad influence to others.— penncrow19
- a one-year make-good deal would be fine. If he's healthy and shows some fire - great. They can give him a longer contract. If not- they can finally hit rock-bottom and get the players (through the draft) needed to turn this around.— Copper34
- The only reason for this public declaration is he probably feels Bynum will have zero interest out there so the best bet is to try and fool the Sixers twice. A more noteworthy story would be if Lee came out and said Bynum would be willing to sign a 1-year deal with the Sixers for the minimum, as a show of faith to the team for sticking by him.— Santa Satan
- houston and dallas are both very interested. dallas probably more prone to gamble given the age of their superstar. if howard resigns with the lakers, the nets would also do due diligence, if they can figure out a way to clear cap. the question really is whether any of them offer crazy money to a guy who was out all year. — rzzzzz
- philly has been terrific to us. bwahahaaaa derrr ya think? dude did not play one freaking min and made tens of millions— bhamss12
- You're dead on, Philly has been more than terrific!!! I would want to re-sign also. ctfu — philsfan417
- Taking a flier on Bynum is a reasonable strategy, but only if they either give him a really short contract for decent money or a medium-length contract at a low cost. They probably have to do one or the other if they want him because some team will otherwise be willing to overpay him. The reality is that with Bynum it's only a question of whether he can get on the court or not, with pretty much anybody else available there are legit questions about whether or not they can get the job done if they are on the court. As bad as it sounds, taking a shot with him could be the best option, but only if they are smart about the contract.— OutofTownPhillyFan
- We have to overcome our fear that if we let him go, he turns out to be productive with another team. Sometimes you just have to let things go. I say, move on and use the money on bringing in free agents that best fit our needs. We took a shot; it's over. So long, Andrew.— talknpraktis
- i say if bynum wants to stay, the sixers would be dumb not to resign him as long as the price is reasonable. 4 years 56 million (first two years guaranteed at 12 million and second two years with team options at 16 mil)— h1t0d
- Philly is an "option" just like the other 29 teams. It's an agent's job to maximize his client's value, so obviously he wants every team in the running. This is just posturing and therefore a non-story. Plus Philly is the only team that can negotiate with Bynum right now, so why not ask them to set the market for him before FA begins.— tripleplay83
- @praktis -- there are no solid free agents available this off-season. The worst thing that could happen would be for them to pay a so-so free agent and stay mediocre. Bynum on a make-good, incentive-laden contract (even if it has an option for a 2nd and 3rd year based on games played and production), is a shot at the right now. If he is gone, they need to be really bad for the next two years so they can retain those lottery-protected picks and get a franchise player or two (right now - they have some nice pieces/role players in Jrue, Thad and Hawes). A healthy Bynum and a wing player makes those guys a competitive playoff team. Al Jefferson makes them mediocre at best.
— Copper34 - Tell Bynum's agent you're gonna call in a couple days and sit tight.
When the agent reaches out, tell him the Sixers are bowling and will call in a couple days.
Repeat for one year.
— Fan74 - If the ball is in the Sixer's court, they, most probably, should catch it and put it away. Even at a bargain basement rate, a one year deal seems utterly problematic! Anything in the eight digit range with multiple years seems to be asking to take it in the shorts!— BEMiller
- So let's see....he has not played 1 second of basketball for a team that gave up a lot of it's immediate future for him. And there are some on this board that mull over the benefits of a one year deal versus a long term and the benefits of each. And to think I thought the Sixers ownership, front office and coaching staff was deluded, some of you posters are out of your collective minds....— DelawareRiverRat
- While there are a whole bunch of fans ready to run this guy out of town on a lightning rod. I would like to give what this team tried to build a chance. I too felt the pain of this season and feels though that the front office left the fans and team out to dry with there lack of due diligence ,so I agree with poster h1t0d but I would flip his idea and make the first two years a team option and the last two Guaranteed? What's the worst that can happen is he gives you a good two years and if he starts to dog it in the last two you just eat one year and move him on the final one.— dword
- Even the thought of a 1 year "make good" contract would be an anathema to most Sixers' fans. Does the 76er brass really want to antagonize and alienate their fanbase even more? ...— FishFryFrank
- You're right agent, the ball is in the Sixers court. Bynum should be on the Sixers court but he's got weak knees and even worse work ethic, so he'll never end up anything more than a mirage (with the worst hairstyles known to man).— jevans
- @Copper34 - no solid free agents? Kirilenko, Milsap, Josh Smith, David West, Dwight Howard, JJ Redick, Tony Allen, OJ Mayo.... I know the Sixers don't have a decent chance at getting most of these guys but i wouldn't say that class isn't solid— kevwalton
- @DelewareRiverRat - Yeah, Bynum hasn't played a second for this team and the team gave up way too much to not get anything out of it, but if they spend the money they would have spent on Bynum on a FA they would just be overpaying to stay mediocre, there aren't any difference makers out there. If they take a risk on Bynum, either he plays and they have a legit center or he never gets in, the team falls apart, and they fall far enough to get a shot at a franchise guy in the draft. It's a huge risk and it's definitely an emotionally draining option after how the Bynum situation has impacted the team, but it may be the best path to long-term success.— OutofTownPhillyFan
- You got to be freakin kidding right??? Balls in Sixers court really this stiff didn't play this season so if I am his agent I would come begging for a 1 year minimum deal which he has to play at least 60 games for a check.— william20
- Why doesn't he hold his breathe waiting for the contract....between now and never! If the 76ers give this guy a thin dime-I'm done and so are most of the fans.— kingofpoker
- @kevwalton - none of the guys you mention are really star-caliber players. They are nice pieces and can be a 3, 4 or 5 guy on a playoff team, but the Sixers are a team filled with those kinds of guys, they need a player who can be a true star. Jrue may be getting there, but he needs more help. Sure D. Howard is a free agent, but the likelihood of him ending up in Philly is slim to none. J. Smith wouldn't be much different than Iggy and most of the discussions around Milsap, the other impact guy there, are often if Utah will keep him or Jefferson, with the consistent conclusion that Jefferson will be the one left out because his defense is so poor.— OutofTownPhillyFan
- "Bynum is willing to re-sign with the Sixers"... HA HA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! This isn't an April fool's joke is it? Of course he is willing to sign here. Has there ever been an easier $16,000,000.00 payday? Only a sucker would give this guy more guaranteed money.— Getinline
- This team is going to be bad and boring to watch for at least the next 5 years. Do Holiday and trade him for a first round pick in the 2019 draft.— DelcoSchmelco
- This team is going to be bad and boring to watch for at least the next 5 years. Do Holiday a favor and trade him for a first round pick in the 2019 draft.— DelcoSchmelco
- Sorry Andrew. The Sixers are drafting Brittney Griner to replace you next year. Since she won't be signing with the Phoenix Mercury, you are free to take your talents to the WNBA.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- First he should give the Sixers a refund.— DKNJ
- NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!— jimmymack
- Respectfully to all who think that AB is going to come at a "hometown bargain" you really need to wake up. There will be 2 or 3 teams who will surface and give him eye popping money......just wait and see....there are a lot of 'desperate" franchises and owners with deep pockets who are dying to swing for the fences.
My guess is 3 yrs @ $12M per with an additional 2 yrs north of that number.....remember there are at least 10-12 teams that will have around $7M or more of available cap space and most of those teams have more than $10M....so there will be teams who the chips into the table and go all in......
I still say PING PONG BALLS is your best bet over the next 2 seasons!— bbrady25 - @bbrady25 - Completely agree. Earlier in this chat I mentioned that they should only sign Bynum if it's a reasonable contract. They cannot get into a bidding war, it's too much of a risk. The Sixers should not try to build around Bynum unless we can get him in a cheap or short contract that they can easily move on from.
In all likelihood, somebody will offer him a max contract out of desperation. I just hope the Sixers let him walk and maybe sign a few role players and let the young guys develop. I don't want to see the Sixers waste money on more solid starters that won't help the team enough to make it relevant.— OutofTownPhillyFan - ONLY A ONE YEAR WITH RESTRICTIONS ! NO PLAY NO PAY !!!!— newsy
- Bynum on a one-year make-good deal is smart. He won't get max offers from anyone. Not after this season's debacle. He will have to prove he is healthy to get his next pay-day. It might just be that the Sixers won't be the ones giving him that payday, but they can take a one-year shot and get "PING PONG BALLS" if it doesn't work out. If it does, they will have one of the best centers in the league (when his head is screwed on straight).— Copper34
- Second best option for Bynum :
==> AAMCO FIXES EVERYTHING !
Good lucccks .
— phillafuN - I don't see any way he could be successful and productive here. He has given no indication of having heart and, with his behavior this past year, is clearly not a "Philly guy"! He would be crucified by the fans!— bartfr
- Take your ball and go elsewhere.— kenkap
- Of course he would sign again - he had a great gig this year - bench warmer with full pay - no practice - just chillin...
Management is totally nuts if they even consider this pathetic jerk— Foundry Guy - Point him in the direction of the Greyhound station.— escapedcamden4monterey
- The Sixers have got to find their star. This is not the guy.— Larry Byrd
- Please sign him to a max contract...I love being able to buy tickets on StubHub for $1.75 a pop!— Hoc-a-mania
- He can make more from the Sixers than anyone else, so of course he'd be willing to listen. If there were any way to do a sign-and-trade to get something, anything for him that would be great.— hillbillybirdsfan
- This guy made $46,000 a day not playing basketball this year.......that is everyday, not just game days. If anything give him an incentive contract and pay him $xxx per game played (minimum minutes defined)— dave347
- Why would an agent say this. Your basically saying your client will accept less money to go back to Sixers. The agent is suppose to say nothing.— Drew777
- I don't know what is the minimum salary for a player with Bynum's experience, but whatever it is, the Sixers should offer $1 over that minimum, and for one year.— Polecat_39
- Sure sign him up to steal some more money !!!!! DO NOT RESIGN THIS STIFF !!! MOVE ON !!— JIMMAC6
sign and trade for kevin love?— OldCoach- You got to be kidding. Receive a guy in a trade and this person does not play for you and you this person gets paid. Man I want this job!!— calieaglesfan
- Here's the deal. Pay him by the game. That is the games he plays in on the court not video games.— mdcasino
- Worthless pigf'er. All he cares about is $$$, weed and his stupid hair. Can't get his useless self outta town quick enough.— HorshamGuy
- Would love to get bearsfriend's take on this.— dudega
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About this blog
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.
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