The NBA free agency period is set to begin on July 1 and while Dwight Howard is the number one target for teams, the ones that miss out will need a backup plan and that player could end up being Andrew Bynum after he missed the entire season.
According to Fox Sports, a number of teams could end up going after Bynum and one option is the Houston Rockets, as they may need a backup plan in case Howard decides to sign with the Lakers, Mavericks, Hawks or another team. The Rockets have set themselves up through trades and other moves to try and get Howard, but if that falls through, they will need to fill that void in the middle with something.
While Bynum is constantly hurt and his attitude is questioned, he is just 25-years-old and has tons of potential for whatever team signs him. He was included in the Howard deal to get him to the Lakers in the first place and after having a lost season in Philly, he likely will be ready for a new scene. For a time Bynum looked like he had potential to be the best center in the league while averaging over 10 boards and nearly 20 points, but that was all derailed by injuries and attitude questions.
Daryl Morey is an interesting GM and while it will be hard to sell fans on a player like Bynum if they lose out on Howard, that doesn't mean it won't work out and it could be the perfect plan b option. If Bynum was healthy he would be commanding a lot of attention, but the quiet buzz around him could be good for the Rockets if they lose out on Howard, because at least he likely will still be available.
Reports also say that the Trail Blazers could be interested in Bynum, but after their experience with big man Greg Oden and his knees, they could be a little weary to pull off a move like that. Two years ago Bynum posted 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game for the Lakers and stats like that will command any attention and although he was moved and did not play, some team out there will be willing to give him a deal just based on that potential. The 76ers could try to sign and trade Bynum to another team to help with getting some compensation after he missed the year, but that has many moving parts.