The Cleveland Cavaliers got their wish. The team's relationship with Andrew Bynum has soured after the center was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. They had been seeking a trade for weeks. After negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers stalled out, all appeared lost. However, a deal was reached with the Chicago Bulls and could work out in Bynum's favor.
ESPN.com reports the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers have worked out a deal that sends Bynum and three future draft picks to the Bulls in favor of two-time All-Star Luol Deng. The forward had been on the trading blocks after he and the team failed to reach an agreement over a contract extension. Now he is gone.
Acquiring Deng certainly helps the Cavaliers' playoff push. The team is looking to end their three-year drought of no postseason. Deng is averaging 19 points and 6.9 rebounds in 23 games while being bothered by an Achilles injury. Pairing Deng and Kyrie Irving is what owner Dan Gilbert is hoping to be the answer for Cleveland.
Now the focus turns to Bynum. The Cavaliers cut him before his $12.3 million salary became guaranteed which happens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Chicago is expected to waive the center before then in order to clear his contract completely off their books. This move of course guarantees a rebuilding effort for the Bulls in wake of the latest Derrick Rose injury. They now will have saved more than $20 million and fall well below the luxury tax threshold.
"We have great respect for Luol Deng as a player and a person," Bulls general manager Gar Forman said, via ESPN.com. "The moves made today will put us in a better position to make the entire roster stronger for the future and to compete for a championship."
Bynum is expected to clear waivers and become a free agent. So where does he go? Right now, the favorites to land the center is the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat have made front-court size a priority ever since being challenge by the size of the Indiana Pacers. Most do not consider Bynum and option after the signings of Michael Beasley and Greg Oden in the offseason. Bynum would just be other project. Plus, the team would have to cut someone in favor of the center.
The Clippers appear to be the likely option considering they need plenty of help right now. The team has lost Chris Paul for six weeks to a shoulder injury. DeAndre Jordan needs a quality backup. Blake Griffin needs a guy under the basket. Bynum is averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 games. While he continues to remain a risk with his ailing knees, the Clippers might take the chance.
This is exactly what Bynum wanted. He was clearly unhappy with whatever was going on in Cleveland. He is out of that and could now possibly sign with a contending team to try for another championship.
