A short while ago Andrew Bynum was said to not "want to play basketball" anymore after drawing an indefinite suspension from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has since been dealt to and released by the Chicago Bulls, which will make him an unrestricted free agent very soon.
At the moment he seems like a pariah, but seven-footers that are gifted paint scorers, and instant double-doubles when healthy don't grow on trees. For that reason, the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat are reportedly very interested in giving Bynum perhaps his final shot at leaving his mark in the NBA.
According to Bob Finnan of the News-Herald, both teams are looking into signing the big man, especially the Clips. "Sources think Heat and Clippers will go hard to sign C Andrew Bynum. Here's a team from left field: Indiana, just to keep him from Miami."
Sources think Heat and Clippers will go hard to sign C Andrew Bynum. Here's a team from left field: Indiana, just to keep him from Miami
— Bob Finnan (@BobCavsinsider) January 8, 2014
The Clippers make sense even though their starting frontcourt is already complete. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have formed a monster tandem when it comes to dunking the basketball, and with Doc Rivers have played good defense for the most part. Jordan in particular is a true rim protector averaging 2.5 blocks per game.
Still, in his sixth year in the league he's not yet averaging even 10 points a night, and he is making his foul shots at a putrid 40 percent clip. Adding Bynum would give them a true back-to-the-basket big, who can match Jordan's rebounding, and who they can confidently send to the line in crunch time.
In Miami, they've been exposed as a team ill-equipped to handle elite scoring big men. Their frontcourt consists of Chris "Birdman" Andersen, and converted power forwards, with the oft-injured Greg Oden lurking mysteriously on the roster but never suiting up. Bynum could be a large presence on this team, even if he's only unleashed against teams with top-flight centers.
Indiana is probably a long shot, as they don't seem to be in need of any rash signings made specifically to block Miami. Roy Hibbert is arguably the best center in the Association, and the Pacers have David West, Luis Scola and Ian Mahinmi as depth.
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