It’s official. Andrew Bynum is done for the season, after undergoing season-ending arthroscopic surgery on both knees. The marquee player in the off-season swap that included Jason Richardson, Andre Iguodala and Nikola Vucevic has yet to play a single game for the Philadelphia 76ers and the day when he finally does might never come.
The unrestricted free-agent who was paid a cool $16.5 million this year courtesy of the 76ers can sign a contract with whomever he pleases come the off-season. Does Bynum owe the 76er organization and the fans of Philly and should he re-sign with the club? Does Philadelphia want Bynum and his likely $100 million contract demand?
It is unlikely that Bynum will be giving a ‘home town’ discount to the 76ers. First off, as much as players say that they are playing for a chance to win; Bynum already has won two championships so for him to sign elsewhere under the false pretence that winning is everything and he needs to experience that thrill of victory come season end is simply just a load of you-know-what. Bynum’s next contract will be all about chasing down the dollars and whichever club is willing to accommodate a four year max-contract player with shotty knees and a work ethic to match then they will find their pairing in Andrew Bynum.
Philadelphia is in a position to offer more money and an extra year on a contract; however, that could all equate to a $100 million commitment to a guy who hasn’t played a game in over a year. The smart move would be to let him go and cut your losses. I know breaking up a team that came within a win from advancing to the Conference finals wasn’t easy to see, but that run came at a time where Derrick Rose was out for Chicago and the Celtics were banged up all over the court.
By letting Iguodala go, they freed up $15 million in annual salary and opened the door for the younger players on the roster to get some much needed playing time. The amnesty of Elton Brand was a business decision as it too freed up cap space and showed the organizations commitment to the youth-movement.
When healthy, Bynum has been a force; he is among elite company as few players have been able to average a double-double season before they turn 24 years old. Despite the early success, there is no guarantee that the player who is returning from surgery will be as dominant or even close to as dominant as before he went under the knife. Albeit he was much older when it happened, but Gilbert Arenas career was pretty much finished by the time he made it back to the court from similar procedures.
If I am making the decisions for the 76ers, which clearly I’m not, then there is no way I risk signing Bynum to a near max or a max-deal come next season. There are too many concerns to commit that kind of money. The 76ers have a great nucleus of young players right now in Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young and what is nice is that they have only $26 million committed to the three through the 2015 season. Should the 76ers amnesty-off Jason Richardson and his $6 million, then they will have pared down their team payroll to a meagre $40 million headed into next season.
With the salary cap flexibility to sign a couple big name free-agents, why not spend the money you would have allotted to Bynum on someone who brings less baggage? Free-agents to-be Paul Millsap is only 28 years old, J.J. Hickson from the Portland Trailblazers would be a great free-agent target as the 24 year old has shown tremendous skill this season and Al Jefferson could be lured to Philadelphia via free-agency as well. There are options out there and in no way should the 76ers feel committed to Bynum simply because they acquired him via the trade.
Bottom line is this, successful businesses make smart business decisions. Smart business decisions may not appease the fans or the media, they might not even be popular in the locker room or with the coaching staff; however, smart business moves are void of emotion and calculate what is best for the organization. Now I do think that the 76ers will offer Bynum a contract and it will be a two or three year deal worth around $12 million per with an amnesty clause specific to injury related performance and they will use public opinion and pressure to sway Bynum back to Philly. The smart business decision is to simply let Bynum walk away. Let the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks bid for his services while you quietly go about signing someone like Hickson. Cut your losses and move on, it might be painful now but the gains aren’t far off.