Links to the Present: “I’m the Next AB” Edition
2013-07-08
UPDATED (July 9): Cavaliers extend 2 year, 24 Million dollar offer to Andrew Bynum. [Wojnarowski]
Andrew Bynum is in town for a face to face meeting with the Cavs brass. The word is the Cavaliers are only willing to commit to a one year deal to preserve cap space for 2014. Marc Stein of ESPN also tweets that Bynum has meetings schedule in Atlanta and Dallas later this week.
In other news, Daniel Gibson’s house is for sale. It’s safe to assume he doesn’t think he’s coming back to Cleveland. Inside the house? A trophy room of which includes a random collection of Texas U player jerseys, a bejeweled basketball, and a life-sized cutout of himself. After that, the rest of the house (for all you stalkers out there) seems pretty mundane.
Bob Finnan of the News Herald notes in his rundown on Jarrett Jack, Bynum, and all things Cavs, that Boobie could be back if he agreed to take a minimum salary contract.
Checking in with Dion, this illustration magically appeared today on his twitter feed. It really deserves a caption contest, because frankly, I have no words.
Introducing… Anthony Bennett’s youtube channel. Here’s the video of Bennett returning to the Jane and Finch Boys and Girls’ club in Bennet’s old neighborhood in Toronto. It’s beyond cool — it’s inspiring. If you click any link from this article, click this one.
I don’t know know if you’ve seen this, but here’s my current favorite Cavs commercial: some acrobatic wunderkinds dunking off trampolines on an outdoor court somewhere in Cleveland while wearing Cavs jerseys. What’s not to love?
Jag, we could also just move Jack and keep most of the other players, especially the top 5 draft picks. His contract isn’t bad, and if we have to throw in a draft pick or two to move him and Andy, we got plenty to spare.
JHill, it depends on which 40 games. Playoffs are really all that matters, and we are going there with or without Bynum.
@The NUPE: Too bad all it did was make him a better bowler. Also wasn’t it just last week how we were all clamoring for this new “positionless” basketball but now we are back to “You can’t teach size” A healthy 7 footer fine, but there are very few of them in the league and not a lot of them are even any good. But an average 7 footer that can play all 82 games is more valuable than a great 7 footer who can’t even play 40 games.
All the bloggers talk about signing this big man and that big men . . . but I don’t hear anything from their camps wanting to talk to Cleveland or that talks are in progress. I’d be bummed if we entered the season with $15MM in cap space. So sign him.
Even though it may be inconclusive, I’m sure we did a medical exam before making the offer.
IF healthy (that’s a 7 foot IF), Bynum should still be in the top 2-5 C’s in the league. His length and general size can’t be taught and his game isn’t really predicated by his explosiveness. His size alone and assuming ‘healthy’ mobility will make him a defensive presence in the paint. If there was ever a ‘good’ thing to come from being sidelined so long is the fact that its likely that he’s a better shooter now than he was before (as that’s the only thing he can really practice while injured). The biggest impedement to his game will… Read more »
Hot Sauce,
You’re right on the money. Not all that different a scenario than Howard with LAL last year, except Bynum’s health is a much bigger issue. I like the way the cavs have the deal currently laid out and wouldn’t do any further modifications to the deal. Any more money or guaranteed time should be a total deal killer.
@JHill raises a key point – Even if Bynum is healthy, we have no idea how good he is right now. He has not played in 1.5 years, and his explosiveness could be gone after the knee issues.
I still love the move, given the lack of downside. But it seems that a likely outcome is that he is healthy, but that he is nowhere near the player he once was.
Cory, Karasev is also guaranteed at about $1.5M and Bennett will be at about $5.56M in year 2 since rookies typically get paid 120% of scale. The Cavs would also have to trade away Andy for nothing or pay the $4M guarantee on his contract. They would also have to rid themselves of their 2014 draft pick and it’s cap hold, which is likely about $1.2-2M. Still doable but the Cavs would probably have to not pick up the option and renounce maybe two players on your list to make room for a player like LeBron or of his ilk… Read more »
Quick question? Can he even play? I mean he’s had a year and a half off, and doing little hookshots in a practice facility doesn’t count as playing.
If it’s 2 years and $24 million they could still make cap room for a max free agent next year also if Bynum is retained.
For 2014-15 they would have
$12 million for Andrew Bynum
$7.07 million for Kyrie Irving
$6.113 million for Jarrett Jack
$5.138 million for Tristan Thompson
$4.062 million for Dion Waiters
$4.436 million for Anthony Bennett
$1.703 million for Tyler Zeller
That total leaves the Cavs at $40.522. Those are all moveable contracts. It wouldn’t take a lot of work to shed a couple million more.
I wasn’t on board with the Bynum signing when free agency started and the rumors came with it. But after seeing how Free Agency did start, I’m liking it more each day. As stated by others here, a healthy Bynum means playoff for sure in the very weak eastern conference. With Boston an Milwaukee likely to fall out of playoff contention, it opens the way for the Cavs to get in. Another reason I like this is because there really aren’t any more game changing FA out there to help turn this team around. If we don’t get Bynum, then… Read more »
I am starting to like this potential Bynum signing. Obviously, we have a superstar in Kyrie. Dion is a stud in the making and could break out this year since he has definitely refined his shot selection from the beginning of last year to this year. Tristan, Bennett, Varejao, Bynum and a little bit of Zeller to spell those two. I like Erl Clark as a 3 when we don’t need him to score more than a handful of points a game. Could be a good team…Or we could not sign Bynum, Andy gets hurt and we are stuck with… Read more »
Ben F: Are you going to weigh in?
Vesus: Agreed. We need to keep Andy. And we still have TT and Zeller. Bynum can rest and be ready for the playoffs. There is a legitimate chance it won’t work out. But if it works out, we are in the hunt for a championship. There’s no downside risk except for losing cap money this year. I’d be really upset if we went into the season with $15MM of unspent cap space . . . and it is beginning to look that way. There has been little or no talk about any other top center wanting to talk to the… Read more »
Say we sign Bynum; in all honesty I don’t want to see Bynum OR Andy to get more than 20- some minutes per game. Maybe even sit out the occasional 2nd game of a back to back. Nobody, not even Miami, would want to see a healthy Bynum/Varejao duo flanking Kyrie.
It sounds ridiculous to count on Andy and Bynum both being healthy come playoff time, but if they are they could give Miami serious trouble and it would be a marketing dream for a first round series. Bynum, Andy and Thompson are all rebound Hoovers. Kyrie and Dion could exploit their backcourt. I’m not saying that the dream scenario of the Cavs knocking Lebron out of the playoffs is likely, but it would be amazing.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this, now I don’t like Bynum, I don’t see how he’s a player that fits our culture. But doesn’t anyone else think that this signing is going to be a sneaky way to either get into the playoffs or get into the Wiggins lotto? If he’s healthy and plays nice our team is even potentially a 5 seed, if he causes problems doesn’t play at all then our team is in the running for Wiggins and Dan and Chris can say “Well we DID sign an all-star, we tried guys”. I swear… Read more »
I can haz best hair of all the front courts!
I wonder if the Cavs could do an ad next year like the Indians’ ‘What if?’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHrDp4KxW0U
If Bynum gets back to 11-12 form for even 50% of the season and he plays ~75% of the season I could see us making a decent playoff run, possibly even having a come down to the wire kind of series against the Heat.
Kyrie, Jack
Dion, Ellington (hopefully)/Miles
Clark, Gee, Karesev,
Andy, Bennett
Bynum, Tristan, Zeller
We could run a tall lineup for maybe 5 minutes of Dion, Clark, Bennett, Tristan and Zeller. Anyway…
What if?
Grover, its 12 million per year and “Incentive Laden” so it would probably only be flushing 6-11 million worst case, depending on the incentives.
Yep, it would be pretty sick. Honestly, We’d be a possible contender next year even without LBJ if Bynum was back to his 11-12 self. Kyrie will be/is a top 5 PG, I see a big improvement from Dion and him getting into the top 10 for shooting gaurds, Bennett and TT will be potent at PF, we’ll have great depth in Bennett, Clark, Varejao, and Jack, and Mike Brown will improve the defense. I don’t think Bynum will play a large portion of the season in his 11-12 form, but if he did we would be a tough out… Read more »
I would prefer a Zeller-and-draft-pick-for-Asik-trade, but I think the offer for Bynum is reasonable. It could be really fun, and if not, it doesn’t hurt the Cavs long term. All hail the greatness of Dan Gilbert for being willing to flush $15 million down the toilet. No other Cleveland team would take a one-year risk like this.
Oops, meant Bennet not Mcklemore
Bynum staying healthy and playing well next year makes Andy and his $8mil contract very easy to move. IF Kyrie continues to improve and proves to be the kind of star that people think he will. Add in an improved TT & Dion and Mclemore proves to be a good pick. Then we’ll be a very attractive team for a UFA who is after a ring. I could see us making a legit run at LeBron (as been reported) or even Melo (who will be looking for a ring and unlike others, I think he would consider the Cavs if… Read more »
@ Jarrod
Yes. They would have to trade Varejao (or the equivalent of his 2014-15 salary), and do a sign and trade with Miami.
If Bynum does bounce back next year as a Cav… the question is, can the Cavs keep him for year 2 AND sign LeBron? What about year 3?
Interesting that Cavs going after Bynum. With Jack on board, if (a Bynum sized if) Bynum’s healthy, the Cavs could beat anyone. Think Hibbert gave Miami trouble? Bynum’s twice the player, and five times the player offensively. A healthy Bynum makes Cleveland a legit contender. Love what the Cavs are doing, recognizing that they already have a transcendent player in Irving. Time’s right to strike. Of course, odds are probably at least 40% that Bynum’s played his last meaningful playoff game. So it is a true roll of the dice here. Wonder if Cleveland wouldn’t be wise to kick the… Read more »
@ Ross
It seems that way. I found this on hoopshype
“Joe Kotoch: I’m told Cavs have huge advantage in pursuit of Bynum because of @Kyrie Irving. Playing alongside him would help Bynum get easier chances. Twitter @Probballdraft”
http://hoopshype.com/rumors/tag/cleveland_cavaliers
Who knows how much faith we can put in that. But it does make sense.
Yep, second year is a team option.
And Bynum is expected to decide today after meeting with Atlanta. I guess he’s not meeting with Dallas face-to-face? Seems like it’s down to us or Atlanta.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ken-berger/22695630/sources-bynum-meeting-with-hawks-decision-expected-tuesday
Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but signs certainly point to him playing for the Cavs next year.
Cavs reportedly offer 2 year deal. I really hope that second year is a TEAM OPTION.
Kyrie: “Dion, I SWEAR I will pass to you next time down the court”
Well I am 100% for it. Now neither of our opinions matter.
I’m 100% against the Bynum signing.
if he sucks what do we lose
“Incentive laden” is good.
After some thought, I’ve concluded that his knees are shot. Couldn’t come back from minor arthroscopic surgery and can’t work out now. Furthermore, the Philly article purports that he doesn’t play with pain. I was getting stoked thinking about a healthy Bynum on the Cavs . . . but I’ve cooled some.
The good news is that the Cavs know more about his health than me and they’ve decided to offer him $24MM.
Cavs offer Bynum 2-year $24 million deal. Second year is team option, apparently incentive-laden. Cavs putting pressure on him to accept as they have already started talks with Elton brand and Andrei Kirilenko.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba–cavs-make-andrew-bynum–24-million-offer-015715453.html
Is Kyrie pregnant because that’s wonderful.
Video of Bynum’s bowling prowess:
http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/andrew-bynum-bowling.gif?w=500&h=286
Not a pretty article concerning Bynum . . .
http://articles.philly.com/2013-03-06/sports/37473277_1_andrew-bynum-sixers-new-coat
Kaman just got $3,2 mill for a 1-year deal with the Lakers.
a) Why should be be bummed?
b) Why shouldn’t we be?
;)
If a big name becomes available via trade that players team will probably be blowing it up. The Cavs will still have millions of expiring or non-guaranteed contracts to offer in Bynum, Varejao, Gee and Miles. They’ll still have young talent to offer in Thompson, Bennett, Waiters, Karasev and Zeller. Not being able to just absorb a contract could effect their negotiating ability.
I don’t think it would be a good idea to do that because it is certainly possible another big player will become available at any time and cap space would be needed. However if we couldn’t get him for any less I would not be mad about it.
If we aren’t going to sign anyone to a long-term deal that jeopardizes our ability to sign a max-deal FA in 2014, then we might as well throw all of our cap space at an injured player who could be great next year on a one year deal.
Bynum to Cleveland on a one year deal would be awesome. I’d give him $15,000,000 (because it isn’t my money) with a team option for year 2. If he doesn’t agree to the team option, that’s fine. Pay him all the cap space left for next year for all I care. If he plays well, you’re guaranteed a playoff spot and you have a top 5 center in the league on your roster. If something happens to AV and/or Kyrie, and Bynum is playing well but our team sucks, you trade him at the deadline for an asset(s). It’s a… Read more »
Kyrie says, “Why are you tourqued Dion? We only won an out of bounds ball.”