Bynum deal is done
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Bynum deal is done
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
It’s official.
Earlier today the Sixers announced that the team’s acquisition of Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum and guard Jason Richardson of the Orlando Magic – key parts in the four-team mega deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers – was ratified by the league.
"We are very excited to welcome Andrew Bynum, one of the league's best, young centers, and Jason Richardson, a proven, respected veteran, to the Philadelphia 76ers," said Managing Owner Josh Harris. "As we stated from the outset, our ownership group is committed to exploring every option available to us in order to improve our team. This trade is the culmination of a very active off-season, one that we believe positions the Sixers for success this season and for many years to come."
The cost to the Sixers was sending long-time forward Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets, and center Nik Vucevic and rookie forward Maurice Harkless to the Magic along with a protected first-round pick.
In seven seasons, the 24-year-old has appeared in 392 games with 300 starts, averaging 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.60 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game while shooting 56.6% from the floor. He was the 10th overall pick by the Lakers in the 2005 draft.
Richardson (6-6, 225) was originally the fifth overall pick by Golden State in the 2001 draft.
The 11-year veteran has appeared in 805 games with 794 starts, averaging 17.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.17 steals in 34.6 minutes per game while shooting 44.1% from the floor and 37.2% from 3-point range.
Sorry to see Moe Harkless leave as a valuable chip to Orlando, but the excitement meter has just swung back high for the Sixers after an odd first half to the offseason..,Good luck to Iggy in Denver, where the uptempo game will befit his talents...Sixers basketball just got more physical...How about that.— bearsfriend- Let there be MRI machines under each basket ... a special section for Registered Nurses singing The Beatles "I Want You" ... each home game having a Special Guest Concussion Specialist ...
Let Red Cross Stretcher Night cause league-wide fear and trembling.
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- I think Harkless was too much. Denver should have contributed more to the trade. We gave up our allstar, last year's first round pick and a future one. That should have been enough. Particularly if we gave up another first rounder to Miami.— Zeru
- Interesting argument, but you're looking at it as if it's "paying your fair share"...If Denver doesn't get into this deal, it DOESN'T happen, as Orlando did not want Bynum...it was rumored that the Magic liked Harkless (several mock drafts at #19)pre-draft, so it makes sense that they'd take cheap talent that's young...Both Harrington and Afflalo are solid players, but they don't necessarily make sense in Orlando... I thought the Rockets had the best young assets to satisfy the Magic. their loss is our gain. — bearsfriend
- For all of that we should have gotten Dwight Howard ourselves.— Zeru
- Does anyone else think this is a high price to pay for what they got? Having said that, later Ig.— PhillySubsMac
- I can't wait to see Doug Collins work his magic with the new talent and the returning players. Things are most certainly going to be a lot more interesting with this bunch in place and it's good to be young with up-side. I've got a feeling DC gets great production from a talented young team that understands he's the boss and he knows what he's doing. The new ownership is to be commended for agressively pursuing the return of the franchise to playoff relevance. Good Job!!— bentlip
- Not to mention LA (of course) got arguably still the best player in the league and now he and Kobe will win another title or two. Is the NBA that rigged, that only LA, Miami or Boston can get the dominant players in the league year after year?— PhillySubsMac
- If Andrew Bynum signs a contract it probably is a good deal. If he leaves we have given away last years and this years first rounder picks and two additional(the one for Moltrie) first round picks. Let's all hope he wants to stay.— rolan01us
- I dont agree with giving up Harkless.. Why should we have to pay for Howard when we got Bynum.— Zeru
- Now the question is what will the starting lineup be I think it will look something like this:
1. Jrue
2. ET
3. Wright
4. Hawes
5. Bynum
Although I think Thad is the better player and will get more minutes than Wright but it makes more sense to have a shooter (Wright) in at the same time as Turner since Turner and Thad are both slashers.— rohara - Exhibition season for the Sixers is going to mean ALOT more for the Sixers as combinations and scenarios will play out...Sure DC's computer is on overload as we chat...Team still needs to evolve as leaders need to emerge...style of play is going to be different for existing Sixers...ballhandling responsibilities are cut in half from last season (it's Jrue and ET's show in that department)..where as "pick and pop" was the core play in the halfcourt last season, it'll be much more "picka nd roll" with Bynum, with entry passes down low, and kick out passes to the catch and shoot additions...Hawes' high post passing should be enabled by this spacing, and cutters should have more room to roam. — bearsfriend
- The Sixers gave up too much in the deal to become only a slightly better team.— Dragon13
- ??? This trade moved us from an 8 seed to a top 4 team in the east. If we actually get offensive production this year, then this trade will take us far! — iceman7634
- To be determined, as the Eastern Conference I believe did improve...But with one deal, the Sixers' odds to win it all went from 40 to 1...to 25 to 1 immediately. — bearsfriend
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.
