The Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks were in the market this offseason for a backup point guard to add to their rosters, but one player they won't be able to snag is Will Bynum, as he returned to the Detroit Pistons on a two-year deal.
According to ESPN.com, his agent confirmed that he is heading back to Detroit, who just signed Josh Smith, and that Bynum will sign a two-year, $5.75 million deal when the moratorium period ends on Wednesday. Bynum has played the past five seasons with the team in a backup role and he was getting some love from the Knicks and Lakers after he averaged 9.8 points and 3.6 assists in 60 games last season.
The deal will be official on Wednesday and leaves the Knicks and the Lakers to look elsewhere for point guard help. Bynum had his best season last year and while he is 30-years-old, he provides solid minutes and doesn't make too many mistakes, which is why both the Lakers and the Knicks wanted him. The Lakers need more depth past Steve Nash and the Knicks need another point guard after Jason Kidd retired to become the Nets coach.
The Pistons were in a tough spot themselves after Jose Calderon signed with the Mavericks and now they have a solid core with Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey, Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond and they could improve after having a number of down seasons. Knight will likely be the starter again and he had some good moments last year and if he can become one of the better point guards in the league, the Pistons could challenge for a bottom playoffs spot.
