The NY Knicks are considering signing Andrew Bynum to a free agent deal if he is healthy says Phil Jackson and this comes as the team still may consider trades involving Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, Andrea Bargnani, JR Smith or Tim Hardaway before the season starts, as that could clear out cap space in the future to sign someone like Marc Gasol.
The Knicks did not make the playoffs last season, but they came through on their main priority of keeping Carmelo Anthony and now they still have moves they can make after adding Melo. According to ESPN.com, the Knicks would think about adding Bynum on a free agent deal to add depth up front after ditching Lamar Odom as long as he is healthy. Other reports have the agent for Bynum saying that Bynum may sit out the season to help his knees get back to full strength, but that is not a final decision on his future.
The Knicks may also look at players like Ramon Sessions, Jameer Nelson, Evan Turner or Greg Monroe if other options fall through and they are not expensive. Bynum has had knee problems for some time and he is a former top 10 pick from back in 2005 and the Knicks could be a fit for him if he is healthy and after his therapy if he undergoes the procedure. Jackson should be able to handle the temperament of Bynum and he could be a fit if the team end up trading Stoudemire. Jackson has already made some moves with Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton and more could be coming later down the line and during the season.
Bynum has had a rough go of it over the past few years, but if he is healthy Phil Jackson is one man who probably can get him going after their time with the Lakers. Bynum had knee problems since his time with Los Angeles and after getting traded to Philadelphia in the Dwight Howard deal he did not play for the team and the ended up in Cleveland. Bynum had some okay numbers with eight points and five rebounds per game in 26 games last season and he now is considering possible procedures and therapy to help his knee similar to what players like Kobe Bryant and A-Rod have done.
Things seemed to be okay for Bynum in Cleveland early, but there were some rumors about issues between Bynum and head coach Mike Brown and that led to his exit. Bynum ended up in Indiana with the Pacers and many thought that move would help the team get past Miami in the playoffs, but he did not factor into things and maybe added to the discontent in Indy.
The Knicks did not have much to be proud about last season, but moving forward there is plenty of optimism. The Knicks have brought in Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson to run things on five year deals and if James Dolan can be patient for one, the Knicks may win a championship during this decade. The Knicks opened the season 3-13 last year and that was their undoing even in a bad eastern conference and they cannot afford another start like that this season.