Now that Andew Bynum’s surgically repaired knee is no longer a problem, the focus switches to his contract extension demands.
Bynum’s agent, David Lee, is seeking a five-year deal that could be worth up to $80 million extension. Not bad pocket change.
If the Lakers and Bynum camp can’t agree to terms before the start of the season that begins in October, the young center would become a restricted free agent next summer. That doesn’t bide well for the Lakers, who have invested the time in Bynum. The next logical step is the money.
Bynum said last week he would like to get the deal done soon, but added, “If I handle my business on the court, the business off the court will be handled. All we can do is wait on that, that’s up to my agent to handle.”
If Bynum insists on the max 5 yr/$80M contract then what do the Lakers gain by signing him before next summer? They can match any offer, and all anyone can offer is that same max. If they sign him now and his knee collapses or he doesn’t live up to expectations they have paid too much. I don’t see the benefit of signing him until next summer.
bynum is worth the money eathers 16 mill per over 5 (80) or 15 mill per over 5 (75) and its not just because of the 13pts 10reb and 2blk or leading the leage in fg%. or the 17pts 12reb 2blk he was avrigin for thelast month befor he got hurt. Its because the Nba game has changed drasticly over the last 5 or so years. because of rule changes that make hard to be phisical with perimiter players and the sucsess of run and gun teams like the suns, dallas, golden state, and others the center position has just about been eliminated. ( I belive this is a foolish trend, because since jordan retiert with the bulls either shaq or duncan has apeared in evry finals with the exeption of last year’s.) there are almost no tru centers in basketball anymore. wen shaq and duncan leave the only tru centers left will be howard, yao, bynum, and posibly oden. if you see what I am saying centers are a dying breed. So when a smart team gets their hands on a tru center they will have to do what ever they can to heep him, even if it means overpaying to some extent. eric dampeair is getting 10mill per, andres beedrich 11 mill, andrew bogat 13mill, yao 15mill, howard signed a 5 year deal around 17 mill per last year. bynum will be paid in the range of what howar and yao because he is better than the first 3 centers I named. All ths mean that btnum is worth 15-16mill per season. that is just what the market value for a top flight center is.
Bynum and his unproven agent need to keep their months shut until Bynum plays a full season as the Lakers “starting” center. If Bynum can dominate for a full season, then next summer the Lakers will give Bynum is max contract.
Until then, shut up Bynum and tell your no-name agent to do the same because he is doing you a disservice!!
Well, the Lakers don’t have much choice since they have to sign Bynum before season starts or he has his right to shop around at the end of the season. The best thing is sign him with exceptional guarantee money and max at his request 80mil if he play most games. That’s fair for both Lakers and Bynum. But from Bynum standpoint, he will force the Lakers to gamble: sign him or he will walk. Now we can test Kulpchak’s negotiation skill.
Got game? Get money. No game? No money. You looked good, last year, until you got hurt. Show the Lakers your knee is good, the Lakers will “Show you the money”
Bynum sucks… the only good player is kobe. He showed this plenty of times including the 81 point outburst where he probably only passed the ball only a hand full of time. Kobe doesn’t need teammates because he doesn’t know how to pass the ball. extend KOBE’S contract to 50 million a year so he doesn’t go to europe. Gay and proud, I love the lakers.