Links to the Present: Bynum or Sellin’ em?
2013-07-07
According to ESPN, the Cavaliers are one of three teams interested in Andrew Bynum, the others being the Mavericks and the Hawks. They are only interested in a short term contract, perhaps selling Bynum on the prospect of playing for Mike Brown again (where he thrived) and rebuilding his status to that of a max-contract player (in the event Dallas doesn’t already think that). I could see Brown reaching out to Bynum – promising him lots of touches in exchange for a hard-ban on 3 pointers.
If true, then the Cavs fully intend to improve at C this season one way or the other. Other available centers include Chris Kaman (reportedly being suited by the Lakers), Samuel Dalembert, and 6’9″ 205lb Brandan Wright (a C:tB favorite).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GEbgtvOfr8
The thought of Bynum is scintillating. Although 25, he’s a solid veteran and has played playoff series. He’s put up great number on a team with Kobe jacking 5850 shots a game and Pau getting his post looks as well. Isolate him in the post, you’ve got TT and Varejao slashing and crashing the class, wow. On top of that, out defense would be amazing, and easily able to hide Kyries inept defense abilities. The only thing that concerns me is out assistant coach (whose name escapes me). Isn’t he known as a guy who likes the ball in the… Read more »
I am really excited about the idea of Bynum in a Cavaliers uniform next season. However, beyond that I’m not. The guy has played more than 65 games once in his 7 year career. He’s played 50 or fewer games 5 times.
For this season it would be a fantastic rent-a-player situation. But even if the guy played all 82 games this season, the last thing I’d want Cleveland to do is sign this guy to a long-term deal.
If the knees are ok, then work some magic Mike Brown . . . and open the check book Dan Gilbert. (Here’s hoping they checked out medical reports already and decided to go forward.)
Just humor me for a moment and let me think about LeBron, Kyrie, and Bynum.
I work in Independence, OH – same city where the Cavs practice courts are and where they supposedly dined at a restaurant with Bynum just an hour or two ago.
Was really tempted to go search for them on my lunch break just to confirm the meeting.
thanks cody so why not sign and trade with phili we could give them our 500 second round picks
@ jimmy
If Bynum signs outright with the Cavs, they won’t have his Bird rights. He’d have to be on the roster for three years before they would. They only way they could have bird rights would be to do a sign and trade with Philly.
@ HotSauce
In that situation, Cleveland would have to do a sign and trade with Miami to land LeBron. As long as the trade doesn’t put the Cavs over the apron, which is 4 mil over the luxury tax level. Basically, they could pull that off, but they’d have to waive or trade Varejao.
i think if anyone knows they can confirm
you can sign him to a 1 year and next year sign lebron and have bynums bird rights to go over cap
@KJ – I like that thought, but if Bynum is signed with a team option for next year, I am not sure we would have cap room to exercise his option AND sign LBJ. I think it has to be one or the other. That is the challenge. But maybe I am wrong.
I think this is absolutely about LBJ and next summer. Pay Bynum a big one-year deal, assume he returns to form, you then can lure LBJ here with the promise of Bynum and then Bynum stays to play with LBJ;titles ensue. Solid risk, IMO…
If it does work out, this would fit the Cavs’ strategy perfectly. They’re looking to acquire a major piece without losing flexibility next year, and this is a very unique situation that would allow them to do that. As others have pointed out, a one-year deal is essentially a no-risk signing. And if Bynum plays well, it puts the team in prime position to resign him next summer assuming their pursuit of Lebron doesn’t pan out.
how could you not do it if he is healthy he is a stud if not poor gilbert looses money
If Bynums knees hold up and he finds a home here, the 2014-15 Cavs will be better than the 14-15 Rockets.
Honestly, what’s the risk to signing Bynum for a year with a team option – other than $19MM of Gilbert’s money? No more risk than signing Dalembert one year.
What’s the potential reward if he turns out fine and Lebron doesn’t return? We get one of the league’s best posts for 5-7 years.
I have a hunch we are going to end up with Bynum. Mike Brown has a history with him and understands the risk. Rumor is there are only 3 teams in the running. In the end it will be a competition between Cuban and Gilbert. Who is the one more willing to take on a risk to win a championship? Gilbert has so much cap space that he may be willing to “place that bet” to gain equal billing with Cuban as a maverick owner. Bynum is still VERY young. He knows his reputation is tarnished. He knows he has… Read more »
Bynum in town for face to face with Cavs..
https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine
I have a hunch we are going to end up with Bynum. Mike Brown has a history with him and has some understanding of the risk. Rumor is there are only 3 teams in the running. In the end it will be a competition between Cuban and Gilbert. Who is the one more willing to take on a risk to win a championship? Gilbert has so much cap space that he may be willing to “place that bet” to gain equal billing with Cuban as a maverick owner. Bynum is still VERY young. He knows his reputation is tarnished. He… Read more »
@grover. That seems like a way better idea than bynum, but I don’t want to see Varejao go. It seems like Bennet might be a bit of a black hole as shooting goes if he’s passed to on the pick and roll, so he’d need to be set up correctly in that sense or it could be bad. Where will touches come from if we have Bynum though? I guess one other fear with bynum aside from health is that this is starting to look like a team where Mike Brown is going to have no offensive plan. Let Kyrie… Read more »
JHill, difference is Mike Brown coached Bynum and knows what he is about much more so than you or I.
I really hope the Cavs sign him. Yes, Bynum’s knees are a huge concern. But that’s the reason for making a one year offer. If he isn’t healthy, he won’t affect cap space long term. If he is healthy & plays well, then things change. Let’s say hypothetically, Bynum signs a 1 yr. contract for 15 mil. If he plays well, the Cavs could make 6-7th seed. Seems possible, right? Now at the end of the 2013-14 season, the books look like this: Jack, TT, Irving, Waiters, Bennett, Zeller, Karasev add up to 30.9 mil (roughly). Varejao is partially guaranteed… Read more »
Health is the risk, but a healthy Bynum >>>>>>healthy Boogie. Bigger body, better defender, far more efficient scorer, and while Bynum has made a few silly decisions, he hasn’t been a anywhere near the villain Cousins has been painted as. At every stop.
I’d rather see a run at Asik instead of Bynum. We’ve got three ball-hungry components in Irving, Waiters and Bennett….don’t need another guy who needs 12-15 touches every game. What we need at center is a Varejao-type who’s big enough to defend centers in the post and defend the rim. Asik would fit the bill. I think a Varejao-for-Asik deal (with a draft pick or two on either side) makes a ton of sense for both teams.
This would be a great move, only if it was a one year contract. If he stays healthy we are a legitimate playoff team. Imagine going against Miami with a healthy verajoe and Bynum. It would be a nightmare for them. Probobly not enough, but certainly would make things interesting. If he breaks we cut him loose for the 014 class.
Wait so we don’t want Cousins because he has attitude issues and doesn’t fit our “team concept” but we want essentially the same guy but with knees made of chalk, something tells me the Cavs will be linked to everyone all year because of our cap space, this is another rumor from a “source” isn’t it?
Told ya. I heard the Cavs would be going after Bynum, one year deal would be puuuurfect.
@Steve, except Bennett can run pick and rolls fairly well.
Nothingwood – the Cavs passed on Jonas, Drummond, and Noel. Running pick and rolls with Irving is clearly a secondary concern for them.
Why not throw some money at Bynum ? If the contract is structured correctly it could be low risk? Imagine kyrie being able to run the pick and roll with a man who can finish off the roll or just post it up for the offense to maybe get a real shot?
Passing on Bynum is like deciding to draft Leonard over Triston; it is the right move! Also, an unhappy Asik (in Houston), could be very happy with a move to the Cleve; most likely sending beloved Varejao…