Could Andrew Bynum be the one to come out as the winner after weeks of crazy rumors? The center has been the subject of every trade rumor in the league after the Cleveland Cavaliers suspended him for conduct detrimental to the team. Now, it is assumed he will be out of Cleveland by a salary deadline January 7 whether by trade or release.
Bynum is owed $12.3 million in guaranteed money at 5 p.m. on January 7. His contract becomes guaranteed then and it is being reported by ESPN that the Cavaliers have zero intentions of paying the center that amount of money. However, trade talks have not been going well which could lead to an outright release of Bynum, working in his favor.
Any team that makes a trade for the center will likely still release him before the deadline as a money-saving move. The Los Angeles Lakers were the main trade target at a swap of Pau Gasol and Bynum was being discussed. The Lakers would save around $20 million by getting rid of the Gasol and then could release Bynum and re-sign him to a cheaper deal. All seemed like it might make sense and work out, until trade talks stalled.
The Lakers wanted Dion Waiters included in the deal. Yahoo! Sports reports the Cavaliers refused to yield to that package and now the deal is essentially dead in the water. While it would provide much financial relief, all signs are point towards the Lakers holding on to Gasol for the remainder of the season and then letting him walk away in free agency.
The Cavaliers are now trying to work out a deal with the Utah Jazz that would include Richard Jefferson. NBA sources tell ESPN that the move would be Cleveland's last-ditch-effort to get rid of the center before the deadline, but if that fails it will likely mean Bynum is simply released.
This would payoff big time for the center. He then becomes a free agent and any team can pick him up. ESPN's Bill Simmons reported on Twitter that the two best candidates are the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Clippers. Both have been targeting front-court help and when healthy, Bynum is still elite. The center wanted to go to a contending team so either franchise could possibly boost his motivation more. All Bynum issues will play out in the next 24 hours, but a trade is not expected anytime soon.
