Broussard: Andrew Bynum Signs with Cavs
2013-07-10
According to ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard, Andrew Bynum has verbally agreed (remember that free agents can’t put pen to paper just yet) to that two-year, $24M deal the Cavs offered him on Monday:
Bynum and the Cavaliers agreed to an incentive-laden, two-year contract that could be worth up to $24 million, sources told ESPN. The Cavs hold a team option for the second year of the deal, and only $6 million of the contract is guaranteed, according to sources.
You’ll remember that last offseason, the Cavs kicked the tires on playing the same facilitating role the Sixers ended up filling in a four-team Dwight Howard-to-LA blockbuster. Bynum never played a game for Philly, and a year later, he’s in wine and gold on a redemption contract. Chris Grant is kind of an infuriating GM—the surprising draft selections, the dense smoke screens, his insistence on trying to fleece the other team in every trade—but let it be said he’s never seen a low-risk, high-reward opportunity he didn’t like. Here’s hoping this Bynum move is more like when Grant traded for Baron Davis and the Clippers’ lottery pick and less like Christian Eyenga’s entire career.
Great contract, great expectations and great opportunity! IF all the Cavs can stay reasonably healthy, we’ll really make a push this year. Assuming our young guys have continued to develop and we are able to get some decent production from our rookies (Bennett should be able to contribute now), I wouldn’t put a top 4 seed out of the equation. IF we also add Kirilenko, we’ll have quite a bit of depth and options at every position with the size and talent to match up with any team. Obviously there are a lot of IFs reagarding health, but the Cavs… Read more »
Typical very solid move by Grant. Fans need to treat this signing similarly to how they would’ve treated a Greg Oden signing or buying a lottery ticket. The Cavs have increased their chances of always having a solid NBA center on the court a little bit Just by virtue of having Bynum or Andy on the court, they would then be a much better team than last year. They have just improved their odds of making that happen.
Haven’t had power for a day and holed up at work yesterday. WOW!!!
I forgot how aggressive Dan Gilbert is!
I’m predicting a decade of fun for this Cavs team.
I absolutely love the move because of the 6 mil guaranteed. Just incredible. Mike Brown knows what he is getting into. As far as our rotation is concerned, our best front court is Bynum and Andy, without question. That becomes an fantastic defensive front, is frickin huge, and Andy’s developed jumper allows for him to play with another frontcourt guy that stays inside. We need to remember a few things: 1. Andy is a natural 4 who has worked very hard to man the 5 and can do so effectively. But, if you look at most of his playing time,… Read more »
If Bynum is healthy, Andy should return to his role of super sub off the bench. Both of their minutes need to be monitored. Perhaps Bynum and Andy each get 25 or so minutes a night with Zeller getting his run in the backend of back to backs while one of them rests. Keeping Andy and Bynum healthy for the playoffs is paramount.
AK47 could have made a mistake opting out of his contract. Cap room across the league has shrunk greatly. There aren’t many teams that still have $10 million to offer him.
@bumsquare I’m talking total time out, like he missed last season’s training camp as well.
I see people keep saying he’s been out 1 1/2 or close to two years. He missed one season.
I’m not as upset now that I know its only 6 mil guaranteed but I still don’t see it working out. I hope he proves me wrong. I mean they still don’t know if he’ll even be ready for training camp, after almost 2 years off. But I hope he proves me wrong and we knock Miami out of the playoffs.
Awesome pickup! The only reason AB acted out with the Lakers was because he was sick and tired of playing with Kobe. MB knows this 1st hand. If he’s healthy he’ll be a beast. We shall see.
I hear that BBQ
There’s something to be said for having a diverse roster that allows you to win match ups. On the other hand, team chemistry can be a powerful force. I don’t know how this group will be able to develop any sort of chemistry. (I heard we may now be bringing back Walton.) Any more signings and the rookies are going to have a difficult time getting on the floor. Don’t see Kirilenko coming here. I believe he made $9.7MM last year and recently turned down a 1 yr $10MM offer. His 2012-13 stats matched his career averages exactly. Finally, do… Read more »
Sam Amico said in his chat today that Chris Grant isn’t the only GM in the league who has a reputation of being a tough trade partner. Would the authors of the blog prefer that he be a patsie, the guy you call when no one else will play? I’m sure there is middle ground, but I’ll take the guy who sticks to his guns and gets his deal. Here is the real crux of the matter: for the “fans” that are critical of what Grant has done so far, what great moves was he supposed to execute when losing… Read more »
I’m assuming you guys will do a podcast on this, would love to know your thoughts on whether or not Tristan moves to the bench and Varejao starts next to Bynum, with Varejao backing up Bynum and Bennett backing up Varejao/Thompson?
Alot of depth there, which of course is a good thing, but I really hope it doesn’t stunt Tristans development. Time will tell I guess! Love the dice roll here by Chris Grant, we have the depth to challenge every team in the league now, with only experience our downfall. Bring it on!
Love the signing. Only thing they are giving up is cap space for one year. And as for the complaints about Chris Grant, the smoke screens are necessary to preserve the value of draft picks for any trades, the “surprising draft selections” are turning out to be very solid picks, and the idea that Chris Grant insists on fleecing other teams comes from a single tweet from Sam Amico, who regurgitates any piece of info he comes across regardless of its accuracy. And what exactly is frustrating about your GM trying to get the best value out of a trade?… Read more »
Just hope we’re getting this Bynum (highlights)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3-4Mp9d_QQ
Love this. W have the 2nd or 3rd best PG in the league, a developing into great SG with Waiters. A big SF defender in Clark, a shooting SF in Karasev (he won’t be ready to take a huge role this year, doesn’t have to.) 2 potentially awesome PFs in TT and Bennett and even a huge lineup with Andy as the 4 (Bennett as 3) and a cog in the middle with a C as Bynum and Zeller/Andy filling in.
Loving this team. Should be exciting, barring injury, to see this team fighting for home court in the playoffs.
Trade for Dirk then? :)
Great move! Cavs had the money to spend this year, and were smart to maintain all the flexibility in the world on this deal for next year. Bynum has everything to gain by busting his ass and doing his best to kill it for the team this coming season. If he doesn’t, he’s an expiring deal that could still bring something back at the trade deadline, and at worst a $6m writeoff. Looks like there’s a new destination that has trouble getting FAs to sign up. Dallas couldn’t get DWill, D12 or Bynum. Time for Cuban to blow that sucker… Read more »
Word now is that the Cavs are targeting Kirilenko. I wonder who they would give up. Minnesota won’t do a sign-and-trade or has been reluctant so far to do so). It’s also being reported that Walton may also be coming back. On Bynum, I like the move, low risk with the potential for high reward. He seems to have bought into the Mike Brown defensive philosophy near the end of his Laker days, and if they give him measured time with Varajeo/Zeller, he could be productive as the season progresses. Word is that he probably won’t start initially, which is… Read more »
Love the move. Only concern–the fact that EVERYBODY that’s an NBA talking head who’s felt compelled to weigh in on Bynum has said Bynum has made him out to be a clubhouse cancer, a me-first diva who has ignored coaches’ suggestions and grated teammates’ nerves. I haven’t seen much concern of this sort on posts here, but I would hope these sentiments raised by the likes of Wilbon, Kornheiser, etc. are only endemic of LA discontent or cranky knees. I like the Cavs team, especially personality-wise (sans Kyrie’s press conference blow-off) and would like to see them continue as a… Read more »
Bynum won’t start? I love Andy as much as anybody, but if Bynum really does rebound to his 2011 form then he gets the nod over anyone not named Dwight Howard. Plus I feel that guys with some maturity/attitude issues like him need to be given starting positions in order to reach their potential. He needs Brown to believe in him in order for him to excel. And if Bynum is back and playing well, and the team stays healthy, I think this team could be in the top 4 of the East standings. That also assumes some player development… Read more »
Anyone know how this affects the cap? Just bc/ he could get paid from $6-12 million.
Eyenga was drafted by Dapper Danny Ferry.
I like this move a lot. We’re adding a guy when healthy and motivated is one of the top 5 centers in the league. Playing in what amounts to a contract year should be plenty of motivation. I like the fact that this becomes an expiring and will become an asset at the trade deadline if things go south quickly. In looking over the roster, two more things I like. 1- We’re surrounding Kyrie with plenty of pick and roll / pick and pop weapons. Our offense should flourish, especially considering the offensive coordinator’s focus on keeping the ball in… Read more »
Pretty sure Christian Eyenga was drafted by Ferry and thanks for being really under enthused about the possibility of a fantastic addition to the cavs
If it works and he stays reasonably healthy they are a lock for the playoffs and could give Miami serious trouble with their deep, physical front line. If he’s reasonably healthy that’s a gem of a contract because he was a max caliber player two years ago and he’s only 25. If he’s not healthy than can get the marriage annulled. Grant has a prenup, so it’s not too big of a risk.
It’s fun being a Cavs fan again!
Chris Grant is a smooth operator. Not sure why some college students believe they can deconstruct his work or the work of any GM.
Love it. Six million guaranteed is genius. And there’s no pressure on him because he’s not going to start, not much expected of him. If he truly wants to be an NBA player this is his last good chance
SO FREAKING PUMPED!
No risk. High reward. All Star expiring contract in the Cavs favor.