Andrew Bynum (Photo : REUTERS)
The New York Knicks continued to roll the dice this offseason, as they pulled off another gamble of a move by signing former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Sasha Vujacic to a one-year contract.
The deal will reunite the Slovenian sharp-shooter with his former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson and teammate Derek Fisher. But beyond that, this latest move by Knicks triggers speculation about the possibility of adding another former Laker to the fold.
Andrew Bynum, whose last NBA action was with the Indiana Pacers during the 2013-14 season, hasn't made any move that would indicate his availability in the free-agency market.
His agent, David Lee, told the New York Post a year ago about the big man's plan to make a comeback for the 2015-16 season after sitting out a year to rehabilitate a arthritic knee problems that plagued him throughout his career. Yet, there hasn't been any information about the former All-Star center up to now.
If ever Bynum decides to return from his hiatus, Lee mentioned the Knicks as a desirable destination for the big man largely because of the history of success he had with Jackson and Fisher during their time in Los Angeles.
"If he's healthy, Phil will be interested,'' Lee told The Post. "Phil knew how to tap into Andrew. They got along famously."
After helping the Lakers capture back-to-back championship in 2009 and 2010, Bynum blossomed into one of the best centers in the league in the succeeding seasons. He had a breakout year (18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game) the year after Jackson retired from coaching, becoming an All-Star starter and All-NBA team member in 2011. However, things went downhill for his career when the Lakers sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster four-team deal in 2012.
Bynum never played a single game with the Sixers during the 2012-13 season due to a knee injury. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers the following season before his stint in wine-and-gold jersey ended prematurely because of attitude problems.
After the Cavs traded him to the Bulls, the Pacers picked him up in the hope of capitalizing his immense upside. However, after just two games, Bynum and the Pacers mutually parted ways for undisclosed reasons.
Despite his shortcomings and red flags caused by off-the-court antics, Bynum remains an intriguing prospect as he will just turn 28-years old in October despite playing nine seasons in the league.
Lee stressed that once Bynum returns from his rehab, which includes "The Regenokine Program," he will try to correct his wrongs and find a role that would extend his NBA career.
"He would be looking at in a longer-term situation,'' Lee said an interview with New York Post. "He's still a baby. If he went to college, he'd be coming off his rookie contract at age 26."
Now let's get Andrew Bynum
