The Cleveland Cavaliers suspended center Andrew Bynum on Saturday, citing conduct detrimental to the team. The Cavs are reportedly looking to move Bynum, and his two-year, $24 million contract before January 7 when his deal would become guaranteed for the entire season.
No details have been released about what brought on the suspension but head coach Mike Brown told reporters “I’m worried about the guys in the locker room. It’s simple as that. In our business, there are a lot of ups and a lot of downs throughout the season.”
Bynum has struggled to return to his previous All-Star form after missing all of last season after undergoing several surgeries on both of his knees. He has managed to play 24 games this season, starting 19 of them but he’s hardly been a great help. On the season, the 26-year-old is averaging 20 minutes, 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and shooting just 42 percent from the floor. Prior to this season, he was a 56.6 percent career shooter.
Outside of the shooting percentages the drop off hasn’t all that been that steep. He’s only playing 20 minutes per game so the stats aren’t what you’d like to see but his per-36 minute averages are a solid 15.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks. That’s not the 19.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks that he was averaging in his final year on the Lakers but it’s not exactly a lost cause.
Some teams that could have some interest in Bynum are the Clippers, Wizards, and Heat. The Clippers are reportedly most interested in Bynum but would likely only look to acquire him if he is released by the Cavs by the January 7 deadline rather than try to trade for him. The Cavs would only have to pay Bynum $6 million if he is off the roster by then.
The Clippers certainly could use some depth behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The only other players over 6-foot-7 on the roster are Byron Mullens (2.9 points, 1.4 rebounds) Antawn Jamison (3.9 points, 2.7 rebounds), and Ryan Hollins (2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds).
