Andrew Bynum (Photo : REUTERS)
Andrew Bynum, after taking a one-year hiatus from basketball activities, is expected to push for an NBA comeback next season. And although many scouts and insiders aren't quite optimistic on what to expect from him after forgetful stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, there's a feeling in the air the former All-Star big man will eventually land an NBA contract elsewhere.
Bynum, who averaged 11.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over his career, plans to resume his NBA career next season, according to his agent David Lee. The 7-foot, 286-pound center failed to land a contract last summer largely because of a chronic knee problem that plagued him throughout career. However, Lee stressed Bynum will be 100 percent ready for the 2015-16 NBA season, as he planned to undergo platelet rich plasma therapy to address the injury (via New York Post).
Bynum's agent also claimed that his client received some interest from several teams before they decided to give it a year off. The New York Knicks were reportedly one of those teams, but president of basketball operation Phil Jackson decided to take a step back until Bynum proved that his knees aren't bothering him anymore. Nevertheless, Lee stressed there's a chance the Knicks would revisit that option this summer.
"If he's healthy, Phil will be interested,'' Lee told The Post. "Phil knew how to tap into Andrew. They got along famously.''
While Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan are the clear-cut top-tier centers this free-agency period, the talent at the center spot is quite shallow to begin with. The Memphis Grizzlies are even looking into the possibility of bringing in Greg Oden, who shares the same injury-riddled fate as Bynum.
To make the story short, Bynum still has a shot at reviving his career. But for that to happen, he needs to show that his knee problem isn't an issue anymore. Offers will start to pile up as long as he proves that he can still be a reliable player, even in limited playing time. After all, Bynum is still 27-years old, and everybody knows what he is capable of when he's both healthy and motivated.
