The Cleveland Cavaliers have indefinitely excused mystifying center Andrew Bynum for “conduct detrimental to the team,” after temporarily suspending him on Saturday. Bynum was subsequently banned from all team activities, which hints at an end to his two-year, $24.79 million contract he’d signed with on July 19. Cleveland will seek to trade the 7-foot center.
Bynum got off to a rocky start with the Cavaliers, scoring only 3 points with 3 rebounds in 8 minutes during his October 30 debut. On November 30, Bynum logged his season highs with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in a 97-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Bynum’s indefinite status isn’t too shocking, considering his lackluster, seemingly disinterested play – Bynum didn’t play at all during his stint last year in Philadelphia, and had spoken openly about retirement, due mainly to troublesome knee injuries.
Bynum displaying a glimmer of reclaiming dominance as a center with the Cavs against the Bulls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_r-8z-QQXg
Bynum, of course, will still be paid by Cleveland, while not actually playing:
Bynum will be paid going forward, Cavs say http://t.co/4LCGUb7zCr ESPN NBA News
— Hoopsters (@HoopTournament) December 29, 2013
The Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat are rumored to be interested in acquiring Bynum:
The Clippers and Heat reportedly are interested in the Cavs suspended Andrew Bynum. #HangTime http://t.co/igxcLq1SvK
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) December 29, 2013
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has something to say about the Bynum situation, but one has to check his Facebook page, as 140 characters isn’t enough:
I have a few comments on A. Bynum but you have to read them at http://t.co/3MrTzP8fgP – to many words for Twitter! pic.twitter.com/jlzobAgqiG
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) December 29, 2013
Cleveland coach Mike Brown commented on Byrum’s status, “He’s on an indefinite suspension and I’m not trying to be funny, but you know what indefinite means – We’ve got 14 guys in that locker room who are very focused and determined and ready to take on any challenge that’s in front of them. They’re great guys, they’re focused guys and they know how to play the game the right way and that’s what I’m focused on, just helping those guys win.”
The 26-year-old Byrum spent 7 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, after being selected 10th overall in the 2005 NBA draft. Though with the Cavs, he is averaging only 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 games this season.
Image via Wikimedia Commons.