Andrew Bynum is a free agent once again and garnering some significant interest in just 24 hours. The center was traded to the Chicago Bulls and then promptly released before earning a dime of his $12.3 million guaranteed salary. The center showed signs of life this season after sitting out an entire year due to knee injuries and now plenty of teams are calling his number.
ESPN.com reports that the Miami Heat are believed to be the frontrunner for the two-time champ. One league executive told the website that he believes Heat president Pat Riley will go after Bynum very aggressively. The team made big men a priority this offseason, signing both Michael Beasley and Greg Oden. Miami still has its midlevel exception and will need depth up front to face the Indiana Pacers.
ESPN's Marc Stein also believes the Dallas Mavericks are strong options to make a run at Bynum. The team was interested in the center in the offseason and considered making a trade for him. However, the Cavaliers got to him first.
The Mavericks might get out-bid for Bynum though. The team can only offer him the veteran's minimum. The Los Angeles Clippers fall into the same boat. The team has shown interest in bringing Bynum in to backup DeAndre Jordan, but they can only offer him the smallest salary available.
Injuries have begun to take their toll on the league which has caused interest from several teams. The Atlanta Hawks could emerge as players in the Bynum race. The team recently lost Al Horford for the entire season to a torn pectoral muscle. He underwent surgery for the injury and is not expected to return.
The Brooklyn Nets could also make a run at Bynum, but sources note that is highly unlikely. The team has lost center Brook Lopez to a broken foot for the remainder of the season. The Nets have a full roster so someone would have to be cut in order to bring on Bynum. Brooklyn was granted a player exception worth $5.25 million in wake of the injury, but the team is likely to use that on their luxury tax bill.
In the end, Bynum will get to make the call. He will likely consider playing time and chances of a championship which could mean Miami wins. Bynum does not have too many playing days left, so the chance to win now will be a big factor.